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 6A - Carrying out of certain forensic procedures after conviction of serious and prescribed offenders  

    SECTION 23XWO   Judge or magistrate order for carrying out forensic procedure on offender  

    (1)    


    An authorised applicant may apply to any judge or magistrate for an order for the carrying out of an intimate forensic procedure, or a non-intimate forensic procedure, to which this Division applies on a serious offender (other than a child or an incapable person).

    (2)    
    An authorised applicant may apply to any judge or magistrate for an order for the carrying out of a non-intimate forensic procedure to which this Division applies on a child or an incapable person who is a serious offender.

    (3)    
    An application under subsection (1) or (2) must be accompanied by an affidavit by the authorised applicant dealing with the matters referred to in subsection (7).

    (4)    
    An authorised applicant may apply to any judge or magistrate for an order for the taking of the fingerprints under this Division of a child or an incapable person who is a prescribed offender.

    (5)    
    An authorised applicant may make an application under this section to the judge or magistrate that is sentencing an offender or to any other judge or magistrate at a later time.

    (6)    
    A judge or magistrate may order the carrying out of a forensic procedure under this Division if satisfied that the carrying out of the forensic procedure is justified in all the circumstances.

    (7)    
    In determining whether to make an order under this section, a judge or magistrate is to take into account:


    (a) whether this Part would authorise the forensic procedure to be carried out in the absence of the order; and


    (b) the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence by the offender; and


    (c) (Repealed by No 24 of 2012)


    (d) whether the carrying out of the forensic procedure is justified in all the circumstances.


    (8)    
    An order under this section takes effect immediately. However, the person who conducts any analysis of forensic material obtained as a result of carrying out the forensic procedure on an offender must not disclose the results of the analysis:


    (a) until the expiration of any appeal period or after the final determination of any appeal in relation to the offence concerned, whichever is the later; or


    (b) if the conviction is quashed.





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