diff --git a/volatility/framework/interfaces/layers.py b/volatility/framework/interfaces/layers.py
index 5d766ea81..8e5b7b582 100644
--- a/volatility/framework/interfaces/layers.py
+++ b/volatility/framework/interfaces/layers.py
@@ -52,6 +52,14 @@ class DataLayerInterface(validity.ValidityRoutines, metaclass = ABCMeta):
            Note: Writes are not atomic, therefore some data can be written, even if an exception is thrown.
         """
 
+    def destroy(self):
+        """Allows DataLayers to close any open handles, etc.
+
+           Systems that make use of Data Layers should called destroy when they are done with them.
+           This will close all handles, and make the object unreadable
+           (exceptions will be thrown using a DataLayer after destruction)"""
+        pass
+
 
 class TranslationLayerInterface(DataLayerInterface, metaclass = ABCMeta):
     @abstractmethod
diff --git a/volatility/framework/layers/__init__.py b/volatility/framework/layers/__init__.py
index b891dfb05..c4384bd5e 100644
--- a/volatility/framework/layers/__init__.py
+++ b/volatility/framework/layers/__init__.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ class Memory(validity.ValidityRoutines):
             if depend_list:
                 raise exceptions.LayerException("Layer " + layer.name +
                                                 " is depended upon by " + ", ".join(depend_list))
+        self._layers[name].destroy()
         del self._layers[name]
 
     def __getitem__(self, name):
diff --git a/volatility/framework/layers/physical.py b/volatility/framework/layers/physical.py
index 245b66c45..7a84fb351 100644
--- a/volatility/framework/layers/physical.py
+++ b/volatility/framework/layers/physical.py
@@ -93,3 +93,7 @@ class FileLayer(interfaces.layers.DataLayerInterface):
             raise exceptions.InvalidAddressException("Data segment outside of the " + self.name + " file boundaries")
         self._file.seek(offset)
         self._file.write(data)
+
+    def destroy(self):
+        """Closes the file handle"""
+        self._file.close()