The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr. Brian Plastow, has praised Police Scotland for implementing a new policy that has led to a “significant reduction” in the capture of biometric data from children. The move, detailed in the Commissioner’s latest annual report, highlights a growing focus on protecting vulnerable populations from intrusive data collection, even as law enforcement agencies simultaneously explore more powerful AI-driven surveillance technologies.
The new policy, introduced in March 2024, shifts away from a “blanket capture” approach. It restricts the collection of biometric data—such as fingerprints and DNA—to children arrested in connection with violent or sexual offenses, or by other specific exception. The impact was immediate and quantifiable: in the year following the policy change, 1,851 children had their biometrics taken after arrest, a drop of 152 from the 2,003 recorded in the previous year. Dr. Plastow noted that this change “better reflects the interests of children” and aligns with Scotland’s adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
However, the report also reveals the complex and often contradictory pressures facing modern policing. In the same document that celebrates this act of biometric restraint, the Commissioner acknowledges the “inexorable rise of AI in policing” and welcomes Police Scotland's recent announcement to move forward with the use of live facial recognition. This juxtaposition lays bare a fundamental tension: a push for greater sensitivity and data minimization when dealing with vulnerable individuals, coexisting with an embrace of powerful mass surveillance tools.
This balancing act is the central challenge for regulators and law enforcement in the biometric age. While Dr. Plastow continues to advocate for raising the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland from 12, he also recognizes that AI-enabled technologies are becoming essential policing tools. The path forward for Police Scotland, and for forces globally, will require navigating this difficult terrain, establishing clear governance to ensure that the adoption of new technologies does not undermine the progress made in protecting individual rights. The broader Scottish context includes ongoing public consultation on live facial recognition, concerns about custody photo quality, and calls for comprehensive biometric data retention policies.
Sources: Police Professional
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By Cass Kennedy
