Disclosure Manual: Chapter 22 - Scientific Support Material: Finger-marks and Photographs
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the procedures that scientific support departments must follow to comply with the CPIA Code of Practice regarding the management and disclosure of fingerprint evidence and other scientific materials. It emphasizes the importance of accurate record-keeping of scene examinations and the retention of all evidence, including details of items submitted for examination. Experts providing evidence are also required to adhere to established standards and the Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Conduct.
Key points
- Scientific support departments must adhere to CPIA Code of Practice.
- Records of scene examinations must be comprehensive and accurate.
- Retention of all evidence, including negative results, is mandatory.
- Disclosure officers must have access to forensic records for unused material scheduling.
- Expert witnesses must comply with Criminal Procedure Rules and Forensic Science Regulator's standards.
- All finger-marks and related materials must be documented and retained.
Public-interest factors
- Ensuring the integrity of forensic evidence.
- Supporting the prosecution's case through thorough documentation.
- Facilitating fair trials by maintaining reliable records.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.