Section 64ZK: Retention for purposes of national security

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 · 1984 c. 60View on legislation.gov.uk

Part V: Questioning and Treatment of Persons by Police

Subsection (2) applies if the responsible chief officer of police determines that it is necessary for—

a DNA profile to which section 64 applies, or
fingerprints to which section 64 applies, other than fingerprints taken under section 61(6A),

to be retained for the purposes of national security.

Where this subsection applies—

the material is not required to be destroyed in accordance with sections 64ZB to 64ZH, and
section 64ZN(2) does not apply to the material,

for as long as the determination has effect.

A determination under subsection (1) has effect for a maximum of 2 years beginning with the date on which the material would otherwise be required to be destroyed, but a determination may be renewed.

"Responsible chief officer of police" means the chief officer of police for the police area—

in which the fingerprints were taken, or
in the case of a DNA profile, in which the sample from which the DNA profile was derived was taken.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.