Court rules that cops can compel you to surrender your fingerprint to unlock iPhone

[iMore.com]

A Virginia Beach Circuit Court judge ruled that law enforcement officials can compel you to unlock your smartphone with a fingerprint, but that they can't force you to enter in your passcode or password to unlock your device. Judge Steven Frucci says that obtaining a fingerprint is like obtaining a DNA sample or a physical key, things that would have to be surrendered in an investigation anyways. Passcodes would be considered knowledge, and not a physical object, so they deserve more protection under the law.

Full story from the iMore Blog...

 

[HankAZ]

If approached by the police, turn the phone off. It requires a passcode when restarted, not a fingerprint.

Was just thinking the same thing. Hard reboot to the rescue.