Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (UK)
Definition
UK statute enacted in direct response to S and Marper v. UK, which reformed the retention framework for DNA profiles, fingerprints, and footwear impressions; requires deletion of records of unconvicted adults within specified periods and established the National DNA Database Strategy Board.
- Jurisdiction
- United Kingdom
- Prompted by
- S and Marper v. UK (European Court of Human Rights)
- Covers
- DNA profiles, fingerprints, footwear impressions
- Created
- National DNA Database Strategy Board
Common questions
What did S and Marper v. UK find that led to this Act?+
The European Court of Human Rights held that indefinite retention of DNA and fingerprints from people arrested but never convicted violated the right to private life, prompting the UK to legislate defined deletion periods rather than indefinite storage.
How does the Act's retention approach differ from indefinite retention regimes elsewhere?+
Instead of keeping every biometric record indefinitely regardless of outcome, the Act ties retention length to case outcome and offence seriousness, requiring routine deletion of records for unconvicted adults after specified periods, which most other national DNA databases at the time did not do.
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