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Crimes Act 1914

Part ID - Forensic procedures  

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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 ).

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    Division 6 - Carrying out forensic procedures on suspects  

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    Subdivision D - Presence of other people while forensic procedure is carried out  

    SECTION 23XS   Presence of constables  

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    (1)    
    The number of constables that may be present during the carrying out of a forensic procedure must not exceed that which is reasonably necessary to ensure that the procedure is carried out effectively and in accordance with this Part.

    (2)    
    Where the presence of a constable (other than a constable who is carrying out or helping to carry out the procedure) is reasonably necessary to ensure that a forensic procedure is carried out effectively and in accordance with this Part, the constable is:


    (a) if the suspect is a child - to be of the same sex as the suspect; or


    (b) in any other case - to be of the same sex as the suspect unless it is not practicable for such a constable to attend within a reasonable time.

    Note:

    Section 23XN provides that, if practicable, most forensic procedures are to be carried out by persons of the same sex as the suspect.

    (3)    
    This section does not apply to the following forensic procedures:


    (a) the taking of hand prints, finger prints, foot prints or toe prints;


    (b) any non-intimate forensic procedure that may be carried out without requiring the suspect to remove any clothing except his or her overcoat, coat, jacket, gloves, socks, shoes and hat.


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