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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 9 - General provisions relating to operation of this Part  

    SECTION 23YP   Taking, retention and use of forensic material  

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    (1)   Taking, retention and use authorised by laws of other jurisdictions.  

    Nothing in this Part affects the taking, retention or use of forensic material, or information obtained from forensic material, if the taking, retention or use of the material is authorised by or under a law of a State or a Territory.

    (2)    

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    Forensic material, or information obtained from it, that was taken in accordance with a law of a State or a Territory may be retained or used for investigative, evidentiary or statistical purposes of the Commonwealth. The material or information may be retained or used even if its retention or use would, but for this subsection, constitute a breach of, or failure to comply with, any provision of this Part relating to the carrying out of forensic procedures.

    (3)   Use and retention of forensic material taken before commencement of subsection.  

    Forensic material, or information obtained from it, that is taken in accordance with a law of a State or a Territory, as in force immediately before the commencement of this subsection, may be retained or used for investigative, evidentiary or statistical purposes of the Commonwealth. The material or information may be retained or used even if its retention or use would, but for this subsection, constitute a breach of, or failure to comply with, any provision of this Part relating to the carrying out of forensic procedures.

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