Under which section is it permissible to take fingerprints without a warrant if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a serious offence?

Under which section is it permissible to take fingerprints without a warrant if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a serious offence?

• A. Section 113(1)
• B. Section 114(1)
• C. Section 115(1)
• D. Section 108(1)

Answer: (A)

Taking fingerprints without a warrant is allowed when there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in a serious offence. This exception exists to quickly identify a person and secure evidence while the seriousness of the crime justifies a prompt, non-invasive collection. Fingerprinting is seen as a routine, low-harm method that helps prevent loss or tampering of evidence and supports the investigation without waiting for a warrant. The requirement of reasonable grounds keeps the power grounded in facts rather than guesswork, and the focus on a serious offence ensures the threshold is higher, protecting privacy in lesser matters. Other sections deal with different situations—such as when a warrant is required, or when other types of evidence or offences are involved—so they don’t apply to this particular scenario.

Taking fingerprints without a warrant is allowed when there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in a serious offence. This exception exists to quickly identify a person and secure evidence while the seriousness of the crime justifies a prompt, non-invasive collection. Fingerprinting is seen as a routine, low-harm method that helps prevent loss or tampering of evidence and supports the investigation without waiting for a warrant. The requirement of reasonable grounds keeps the power grounded in facts rather than guesswork, and the focus on a serious offence ensures the threshold is higher, protecting privacy in lesser matters. Other sections deal with different situations—such as when a warrant is required, or when other types of evidence or offences are involved—so they don’t apply to this particular scenario.