IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920

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THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920 
(XXXIII of 1920) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title and extent 
2. Definitions 
3. Taking of measurements etc., of convicted persons 
4. Taking of measurements, etc., of non-convicted persons 
5. Power of Magistrate to order a person to be measured or photographed 
6. Resistance to the taking of measurements etc 
7. Destruction of photographs and records of measurements, etc. on 
acquittal 
8. Power to make rules 
9. Bar of suits 
TEXT 
THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920 
1
(XXXIII of 1920) 
[9th September, 1920] 
An 
Act 
to authorise the taking of measurements and photographs of convicts and others. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to authorise the taking of measurements and 
photographs of convicts and others; It is hereby enacted as follows:– 
1. Short title and extent .– (1) This Act may be called the Identification of 
Prisoners Act, 1920; and.  
2
[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.] 
2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,– 
(a) "measurements" include finger impressions and foot-print impressions; 
(b) "police officer " means an officer in charge of a police -station, a police 
officer making an  investigation under Chapter XIV of  the Code of 
Criminal Procedure ,1898 (V of 1898) , or any other police officer not 
below the rank of sub-inspector; and 
(c) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act. 
3. Taking of measurements etc., of convicted persons .– Every person who 
has been– 
(a) convicted of any offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a 
term of one year or upwards, or of any offence which would render him 
liable to enhanced punishment on a subsequent conviction, or 
(b) ordered to give security for his good behavior under section 118 of the 
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898  (V of 1989),  shall, if so required, 
allow his measurements and photograph to be taken by a police officer 
in the prescribed manner.  
4. Taking of measurements , etc., of non -convicted persons .– Any person 
who has been arrested in connection with an offence punishable with rigorous 
imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards shall, if so required by a police 
officer, allow his measurements to be taken in the prescribed manner. 
                                                 
1For statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1920, Pt, V, P.162; and for Proceedings -in –Council. see ibid. 
1920.Pt.VI, pp.1037 and 1143. 
2Substituted by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (XXI of 1960) w.e.f 14.10.1955, s. 3 and 2nd Schedule; and 
published in Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 9.6.1960. 
5. Power of Magist rate to order a person to be measured or 
photographed.– If a Magistrate is satisfied that, for the purposes of any 
investigation or proceeding under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, it is 
expedient to direct any person to allow his measurements or photograph to be taken, 
he may make an order to that effect, and in that case the person to whom the order 
relates shall be produced or shall attend at the time and place specified in the order 
and shall allow his measurements or photograph to be taken, as the case may be, by 
a police officer: 
Provided that no order shall be made directing any person to be 
photographed except by 
3
[an Executive Magistrate]:  
Provided, further, that no order shall be made under this section unless the 
person has at some time bee n arrested in connection with such investigation or 
proceeding.  
6. Resistance to t he taking of measurements , etc.– (1) If any person who 
under this Act is required to allow his measurements or photograph to be taken 
resists or refuses to allow the taking of the same, it shall be lawful to use all means 
necessary to secure the taking thereof. 
(2) Resistance to or refusal to allow the taking of measurements or 
photographs under this Act shall be deemed to be an offence under section  186 of 
the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860). 
7. Destruction of photographs and records of measurements, etc. , on 
acquittal.– Where any person who, not having been previously convicted of an 
offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards, 
has had his measurements taken or has been photographed in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act is released without trial or discharged or acquitted by any 
Court, all measurements and all photographs (both negatives and copies) so taken 
shall, unless the Cour t or (in a case where such person is released without trial) the 
District Magistrate or 
4
[Sub-divisional Magistrate] for reasons to be recorded in 
writing otherwise directs, be destroyed or made over to him. 
8. Power to make rules .– (1) The 
5
[Provincial Government] may make rules for 
the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
provisions, such rules may provide for– 
(a) restrictions on the taking of photographs of persons under section 5; 
(b) the places at which measurements and photographs may be taken; 
(c) the nature of the measurements that may be taken; 
(d) the method in which any class or class es of measurements shall be 
taken; 
                                                 
3Substituted by the Federal laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance,1981(XXVII of 1981) w.e.f 8.6.1981 s.3 and 2 nd 
Schedule p.416. 
4Substituted by the Federal laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance,1981(XXVII of 1981) w.e.f 8.6.1981 s.3 and 2 nd 
Schedule p.416. 
5Substituted for “L.G.” by A.O., 1937. 
(e) the dress to be worn by a pe rson when being photographed under 
section 3; and 
(f) the Preservation, safe custody, destruction and disposal of records of 
measurements and photographs.  
9. Bar of suits .– No suit or  other proceeding shall lie against any person for 
anything done, or intended to be done, in good faith under this Act or under any rule 
made thereunder.