Inquiry into police storage of biometric data on public

TOM GORDON

at the retention of facial images by the police and others, as there is no consistent practice on use, retention and disposal.

He said: “This is a timely review in an important and fast-developing area.

“Scottish rules on retention of biometric data have been the subject of positive comment elsewhere, notably from the European Court of Human Rights when it looked at equivalent English rules in 2008.

“It is appropriate to consider if we are still getting the balance right, especially as there are new types of biometric data being used by our police, courts and prosecutors.

“In addition to the use and retention of facial images, we will look at questions which may arise with developing types of biometric data in the hope that we can establish principles informed by relevant ethical and human rights considerations to inform the delicate balancing exercise involved.”

SNP Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “At a time when police use of biometric and related technologies is increasing, this work aims to bring certainty to and maintain public confidence in police use of this data to investigate crime and protect the public.

“The group will provide expert advice taking account of the HMICS recommendations on use of facial search technology, making sure we strike the right balance between safeguarding the public and the rights of individuals when we decide how biometric data should be used in future.”

The Independent Advisory Group on the Use of Biometric Data includes representatives from Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, HMCIS), the Crown Office, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office, as well as academic expertise.

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said the study by the group was “long overdue.” ACTOR Jack Lowden joined Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown-Findlay on the red carpet at the world premiere of the new Morrisey film, as the curtain came down on the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Lowden, who grew up in the Borders and has found fame with TV credits such as War and Peace since his breakthrough a decade ago in the theatre production Black Watch, plays The Smiths frontman in the story of his early life, England Is Mine.

Brown-Findlay plays Linder Sterling who set up Morrisey’s first meeting with guitarist Johnny Marr that put him on the road to stardom. The film is in cinemas from August 4.