Deletion of DNA Samples

1. On which date did your police force first recommend the deletion of samples from the police databases following an application from the arrested person that they were an Exceptional Case?
2. Once those samples were deleted, did you also delete the details of the arrest from your own force’s records?
3. If not what kind of details do you retain in that case and since? I.e. original crime report, fingerprint records, photos, custody records?
4. Who has access to the retained records kept on former CJ arrestees? I.e. is it routine for all the other UK or international police forces have access on request?
5. What is the rationale behind keeping records of people whose samples have been deleted under the Exceptional Case procedure? I.e. policing purposes?
6. What are the policing purposes that such records serve? I.e. does the police force use the information in the investigation of crime? Do the records acknowledge wrongful arrests? Does the crime stay recorded even if the former CJ Arrestee has proved a ‘no crime’?
7. What is the difference between the purpose of the records on the Police National Computer (PNC) and the records held by national police forces such as yours?
8. Can you provide a comprehensive list of the persons and/or the organisations who can obtain access to information on a) the PNC and b) your own Force’s records?

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

Please Note: The Freedom of Information Act requires public authorities to provide copies of recorded information in response to requests. Public authorities are not required to answer questions or provide explanations outside that which is included in recorded information. Therefore in relation to your questions numbered 2, 3, 5, 6, & 7 they are not valid requests within the meaning of the Act.

Question 1. 30/03/2008

Question 4. This information is reasonably accessible to you by other means and is therefore exempt information in accordance with section 21 of the Act. please see our web site at the following link: Data Protection Page How we use

Question 8. There is no information held. No such list exists within the Constabulary. However the above link will provide further information on disclosures.See also our registration on the Information Commissioners web site.formation

ICO Website Our Registration Number is Z4882216

Those two documents will also go some way to provide information relating to your request as a whole.