Teenager gets DNA retention review

20 September 2013 Last updated at 11:23 ET

A County Down teenager has cleared the first stage in his legal battle with the police over the retention of his DNA, fingerprints and photographs.

The 18-year-old is seeking a High Court order for the destruction of samples taken after he was arrested for a suspected assault.

Even though he was released without charge, police have yet to destroy his material.

A judge has granted leave to seek a judicial review of the police position.

Senior officers have confirmed new legislation that will change the retention policy is being studied in detail.

But lawyers for the teenager claim his right to privacy is being breached and want a judge to direct all samples, profiles and photographs be destroyed.

The teenager was arrested in August last year and taken into custody in Belfast.

Samples were taken from him under normal police procedures, despite questions being raised at the time by his lawyer and father.

Following his unconditional release requests were made for assurances that all material would be deleted from the database.

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Teenager gets DNA retention review