The Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material is an independent advisor to the British government regarding the use and retention of
biometric
Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify in ...
s, including
fingerprint
A fingerprint is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. The recovery of partial fingerprints from a crime scene is an important method of forensic science. Moisture and grease on a finger result in fingerprints on surfac ...
data and
DNA sample
Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...
s, by the government. The post was created under section 20 of chapter 1 of the
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. As the Protection of Freedoms Bill, it was introduced in February 2011, by the Home Secretary, Theresa May. The bill was sponsored by the Home Office. On Tuesd ...
.
In 2014, the commissioner was
Alastair R. MacGregor QC.
As of 2020, the current commissioner is
Professor Paul Wiles
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who professes". Professors ...
In March 2021 the UK government combined the roles of Biometrics Commissioner with those of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and appointed Prof Fraser Sampson to the role.
References
External links
* https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/biometrics-commissioner
Biometrics
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