52. Routine Booking Photos And Fingerprints

Routine booking photos and fingerprints of juveniles are not permitted, except when there is a specific investigatory need. The federal juvenile statutes provide for fingerprinting and photographing of juveniles only after a finding of guilt for certain types of drug and violent offenses. See 18 U.S.C. § 5038(d). As a result, routine booking photographs and fingerprints should not be taken upon arrest of a person known to be a juvenile unless they are required for investigative purposes (e.g., where the identity, age, or criminal record of the arrestee is not settled).

[cited in Criminal Resource Manual 48]