# Is there a way to give your fingerprints/DNA to law enforcement voluntarily?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-give-your-fingerprints-dna-to-law-enforcement-voluntarily/608552>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 5, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-give-your-fingerprints-dna-to-law-enforcement-voluntarily/608552 "2012-01-05T22:11:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-give-your-fingerprints-dna-to-law-enforcement-voluntarily/608552/21 "2012-01-07T21:52:02Z")

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> [@Silver\_Tyger](#):
>
> I also recall, at least a few years ago, there were several places that would fingerprint children for the parents. I don’t know the details of whether they went in a database, etc, and I don’t remember seeing anything lately. As I recall, it was often done at various kid centered events - y’know, like the kid is there anyway so why not do this sort of thing.

The parents keep the fingerprint cards. They are not held by the police. So if the child disappears the parents can produce the fingerprint card to aid in finding the missing child. It also makes sense to photo the child from various angles and keep all the photos with the card as well. Periodically update the photos, but don’t toss out the older photos, either.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-give-your-fingerprints-dna-to-law-enforcement-voluntarily/608552/22 "2012-01-07T23:50:11Z")

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Often when cashing checks (cashing, not depositing) local banks have me put my fingerprint on the check.

i wonder if this can later be accessed for criminal/legal purposes…? they do keep electronic scans of that stuff…

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