WA: Court ruling forces police fingerprinting procedure change

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2006
WA: Court ruling forces police fingerprinting procedure change

Police will be forced to change procedures .. after a Perth court ruled it was wrong
for police to take fingerprints as standard procedure .. when they know someone's identity.

The West Australian Supreme Court decision came after a legal challenge by a Perth
man .. who was caught urinating in public in September last year.

The man's identity was confirmed using the police computer .. but an officer tried
to take the suspect's fingerprints.

When the man resisted he was charged with obstructing police .. and was later convicted
in the Perth Magistrates Court.

He appealed to the Supreme Court .. saying the officer knew his identity .. so fingerprinting
wasn't necessary.

The court agreed.

WA Police Commissioner KARL O'CALLAGHAN says police will change procedures .. because
of last week's ruling.

But he doesn't think the decision precludes police from taking fingerprints.

AAP RTV den/lk/cp/wf

KEYWORD: FINGERPRINTS (PERTH)

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.