Warning over police techniques becoming much more intrusive

SECURITY: Head of authority eager for public conversation about development

Controversial policing techniques such as facial recognition technology will become “more intrusive”, according to the watchdog’s forensics chief.

Tom Nelson, director of forensic services for the Scottish Police Authority, called for a “public conversation” about the use of biometric data in the justice system.

This includes established sources, such as the collection of DNA and fingerprints, and emerging technologies such as facial recognition and walking gait analysis, which are not used in Scotland but are being considered.

Mr Nelson said: “As people are walking around the town their images are being picked up on different devices.”

He spoke while visiting the Scottish Police Authority’s forensics base in Dundee – the home of the national DNA database.

“We want to have that public

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If there’s an introduction of new technology, how are we going to do that in the future?

TOM NELSON

conversation, but have that reassurance that whenever it comes into the forensics and the police arena this is how we deal with it.

“And particularly moving forward, if there’s an introduction of new technology, how are we going to do that in the future?

“There’s no doubt about it, biometrics has the potential to become more and more intrusive and the public need to understand if that is the way we want to move forward as a community.”

Mr Nelson spoke to The Courier as MSPS agreed new legislation to create a Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, who will have a remit to bring “clarity” over the controversial area.

He said tackling public misconceptions would also be one of the first jobs in their in-tray and he was “concerned” about basic errors, such as assumptions on the use of DNA.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf welcomed the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Bill’s successful passage through Holyrood.

The bill creates an independent commissioner to advise and oversee.

Mr Yousaf added: “Through this Bill we will make sure that Scotland’s approach to biometric data, including new technologies such as facial recognition software, is effective, proportionate and ethical.”

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Director of SPA Forensic Services Tom Nelson has spoken out.