Biometrics - FAQs
Put simply, Biometrics are a way to measure a person’s physical, biological, physiological or behavioural characteristics to establish or verify their identity.
The main biometric data types used regularly in Scotland at present for policing and criminal justice purposes are Fingerprints, DNA and Photographic images.
Biometrics are taken to confirm your identity, for use as evidence if you have committed a criminal offence or to help eliminate you from an investigation.
The Police Scotland website provides further information on what samples may be taken and the reasons for taking them.
You may have a photograph of your face taken, a copy of your fingerprints, mouth swabs or hair samples taken to obtain your DNA profile
Your biometrics will be stored or destroyed depending on the circumstances. The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 20023 control how Police Scotland gather, use, share and destroy biometric data. The Scottish Police Authority – Forensic Services (SPA FS) process samples and retain biometric data on behalf of Police Scotland.
The retention period is dependent on the police investigation and/or court proceedings and the nature of the offence. Further details can be found on the Police Scotland website and within the Record Retention Standard Operating Procedure.
You may also find it useful to read the Scottish Government and Scottish Biometrics Commissioner’s joint report on biometric data retention.
You can request deletion, but eligibility will depend on the criteria for which it was taken. You can contact Police Scotland via a Subject Access Request (SAR) to establish what is held and whether you can request its destruction.
You can apply to withdraw consent at any time for biometric samples provided with consent under Section 56 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
No, the Commissioner deals only with biometrics for policing and criminal justice purposes by Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
No, the Commissioner’s functions do not extend to this technology. There is currently no oversight of public space CCTV surveillance in Scotland
The Commissioner’s blog in June 2025 explains why he would support its use in certain circumstances.
At the Scottish Police Authority Board meeting of August 2025, Police Scotland confirmed they have taken the decision to move ahead with the future use of live facial recognition.
As this area develops, you may find further information on our News page.