Crimes Act 1914

Part ID - Forensic procedures  

Simplified outline of operation of Part

This Part provides for forensic procedures to be carried out on:

  • • suspects in relation to indictable offences (Divisions 3 , 4 and 5 ); and
  • • offenders in relation to prescribed and serious offences (Division 6A ); and
  • • volunteers (Division 6B ).
  • If the carrying out of a forensic procedure is authorised under this Part, it must be carried out in accordance with rules and procedures set out in Division 6 .

    If a forensic procedure covered by this Part is carried out without proper authority under this Part, evidence obtained through the procedure may be inadmissible in proceedings against the suspect (Division 7 ).

    However, certain rules are modified or do not apply if the forensic procedure is carried out in response to a request by a foreign country or an international tribunal, or a request by a foreign law enforcement agency (Division 9A ).

    This Part also:

  • • contains offences in relation to the Commonwealth DNA database system and the National Criminal Investigation DNA Database ( NCIDD ) (Division 8A ); and
  • • provides for the whole or a part of the Commonwealth DNA database system to be integrated with the whole or a part of one ore more State/Territory DNA database systems to form part of NCIDD (Division 8A ); and
  • • provides for the exchange of information in the Commonwealth DNA database system or a State/Territory DNA database system and the protection of the information that is exchanged (Division 11 ); and
  • • provides for the destruction of forensic material (Division 8 ).
  • Division 7 - Admissibility of evidence  

    Subdivision A - Forensic evidence  

    SECTION 23XY   Inadmissibility of evidence where forensic material required to be destroyed  

    (1)    
    If a provision of this Part requires forensic material taken from a person by a forensic procedure to be destroyed, subsection (2) applies to:


    (a) evidence of the forensic material; and


    (b) if the material has not been destroyed - evidence consisting of the forensic material; and


    (c) any results of the analysis of the forensic material; and


    (d) any other evidence made or obtained as a result of or in connection with the carrying out of the forensic procedure.

    (2)    
    The results of the analysis, and the other evidence, are not admissible if adduced by the prosecution in any proceedings against the person, but may be admissible if adduced in such proceedings by the person.





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