Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
WHITEMAN
THE SENATE on Friday approved a resolution on the Fingerprint Rules, which will regulate the work of the agency established under the Finger Prints Act.
Leader of Government Business Senator Burchell Whiteman, who piloted the resolution in the Senate, said the rules were straightforward.
The Fingerprint Rules outline all the activities for which the Fingerprint Bureau will be responsible.
Rule seven provides for the Children's Advocate to prepare and forward to the police chief in any parish, as well as the Fingerprint Bureau, a list of independent persons nominated by the advocate for the purpose of each rule.
"Rule eight provides that, before an adult or child is fingerprinted, or photographed, the authorised officer must inform him or, in the case of the child, the parent or guardian of the child," Senator Whiteman said. He added that, in cases where there was no parent or guardian, the Children's Advocate or the nominee monitoring the matter must be informed.
PHOTOGRAPHS AS EVIDENCE
Senator Whiteman said that, under the Fingerprint Rules, photographs may be used as a photo identification parade and fingerprints and photographs may be used as evidence in court.
The rules also outline what applies when there is no consent on the part of the person whose fingerprints are being taken. "Reasonable force may be used to ensure compliance, if that consent or cooperation is not given and that evidence of the refusal may be given at any subsequent trial of that person," said Senator Whiteman.
The rules also outline that the proceedings must be video and audio recorded. Rule eight also speaks to the destruction of the photograph and fingerprints if the person is acquitted.
