I'm 99% sure that the police demanding fingerprints in the absence of an arrest is technically an "unreasonable search" in US law. This does not of course prevent them from 'inviting' a suspect to voluntarily give fingerprints or from sneakily getting them off of a mug they give the suspect (the first would be what I know from reality, while the second is a favorite on procedurals), but requiring the fingerprints in the absence of an arrest or court order has generally been judged a violation of civil rights, I believe.
no subject
Date: 5 Feb 2011 01:47 am (UTC)I...don't actually know about Japan. Huh.