Criminal Justice Act 1948

40 Taking of finger-prints by order of justices.

(1) Where any person not less than fourteen years of age who has been taken into custody is charged with an offence before a court of summary jurisdiction, the court may, if it thinks fit, on the application of an officer of police not below the rank of inspector, order that the finger-prints of that person shall be taken by a constable.

(2) Finger-prints taken in pursuance of an order made under this section shall be taken either at the court or if the person to whom the order relates is remanded in custody, at any place to which he is committed; and a constable may use such reasonable force as may be necessary for that purpose.

(3) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of any other enactment under which the fingerprints of any person may be taken.

(4) Where the fingerprints of any person have been taken in pursuance of an order made under this section, then if that person is acquitted or discharged under section twenty-five of the Indictable Offences Act, 1848, or if the information against him is dismissed, the fingerprints and all copies and records thereof shall be destroyed.