Fingerprint and photograph destruction refers to the process of eliminating the records that law enforcement retains after an investigation. This includes fingerprints and photographs that are collected during the investigation and remain on file, regardless of the outcome in court.
On average, the full destruction of a file can take anywhere from three to eighteen months. The timeline and whether your file will be destroyed depend on the policies of the local police service that laid the charges.
For more information on how to apply, please contact the police department where your fingerprints and photographs were taken.
Waiting period is five months before applying for a file destruction
Waiting period is one year before applying for a file destruction