LordOfTheRings

With all the reports of the police keeping DNA of innocent people, I would like to find out if they have kept my younger brothers DNA. He got picked up by the police two years ago when he was 16 for something that had nothing to do with him, and the only connection to the crime was that he was a youth near the crime scene.

So where do I stand on finding out what info they hold on him?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

You don't. The freedom of information act does not give them the right to release personal data. However, under the Data Protection Act your brother or his legally appointed representative can ask for copies of all data held that refers to him. Best speak to the CAB or get a solicitos half-hour free and take some advice if it really worries you.

LordOfTheRings

Ok thanks for the advice

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

its called a dsir (data subject information request) usually costs £10 and they have to send you the information within 28 days iirc?

hth

james

Sgt_Pepper

Does that not apply to information the police holds?

LordOfTheRings

So my brother can just go straight to the station and request the info from them?

AndiThompson

IIRC, there's an exemption to the Data Protection act (which is the one that allows you to request information held about yourself) if the data is for use in the prevention and detection of crime, so not sure what info you'd get. It'd also have to be your brother who applied, not you.

Prasius

iTrader: (1)

Your brother will have to write a request to the local police force. They will have people who deal specifically with FOI requests and will likely apply a small fee for administrative costs.

That said, unless your brother is planning to go rape/murder/rob someone, hes got nothing to worry about.

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Didn't you know? The police often use innocent people's DNA from the database to stitch them up for a crime. I read it here on SN, so it must be true.


M