A report by a police watchdog body has slammed the “outdated” practice by Police Scotland of taking fingerprints with ink and paper and the detention of children in police cells.(Image: Getty Images/Brand X)

Police Scotland has been urged to modernise its fingerprint taking practices after a review found some stations were still using old fashioned ink and paper rather than computers.

Watchdog body His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland ( HMICS ) made the order following a review of custody facilities and police cells across the Highlands and Islands. They found that instead of using modern fingerprint scanning technology, officers based in Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Fort William, still take fingerprints using ink and paper. The inspection report said the ‘outdated approach’ was not only ‘prone to error and gives poor quality impressions’. It was also ‘laborious’ and slowed down the process of identifying prisoners who were trying to conceal their identities.

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HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Brian McInulty, said: “Our latest custody inspection saw us visit Police Scotland’s Highland and Islands Division.

“Inverness and Wick centres had access to electronic fingerprinting machines commonly referred to as ‘Live Scan’, which digitally capture detainee finger and hand impressions and enable live time cross referencing with police databases for identification purposes. “Notably, all the other custody centres we visited did not have these facilities, instead relying on traditional, and somewhat outdated, ink and paper processes. “Our report recommends Police Scotland review the risks associated with not having modern fingerprint identification equipment available and address the deficits identified.”

(Image: Handout)

Graeme Pearson, former Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the fingerprint findings.

He added:”It must reflect a lack of finance and financial support.

“With paper and ink there are delays in getting the prints checked and if the ink hasn’t been properly done it is sometimes difficult to identify them because of smudges.”

(Image: DAILY RECORD)

The inspection also looked at the workings of ten custody centres across the Highlands and Islands.

Inspectors found many operated with low officer numbers placing them at potential risk.

The report also expressed concerns that children were being kept in police custody.

Mr McInulty added: “Our review of custody records found examples of children held overnight in police cells at Inverness having been arrested for what inspectors considered to be relatively minor offences

“While the provision of suitable alternative accommodation remains a challenge for childcare agencies across the country, we do not consider police cells to be an appropriate interim option, especially for such long periods.

“We would like to see additional attention given to making the changes to culture and practice needed to address this issue.”

(Image: PA)

Chief Superintendent Chris Stewart of Police Scotland said: “We take the findings of this report seriously and the recommendations will form part of a comprehensive on-going review of custody resourcing, processes and our estate aimed at enhancing custody provision across Scotland. “We are already introducing electronic fingerprint machines into custody facilities in Lerwick, Stornoway and Kirkwall. Our primary custody centre in Inverness, which provides a dedicated round-the-clock service for the Highlands and Islands has electronic fingerprint capability. “We note the observations in the report regarding children in custody. Police Scotland does not want children in police custody any longer than is necessary and we continue to work with partner organisations to find suitable alternative accommodation for young people.”