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 10 - Operation of this Part and effect on other laws  

    SECTION 23YU   Application of other laws  

    (1)    
    This Part is not intended to limit or exclude the operation of another law of the Commonwealth or of a law of a State or Territory relating to:


    (a) the carrying out of forensic procedures, including procedures not referred to in this Part; or


    (aa) without limiting paragraph (a), the carrying out of breath analysis or a breath test or the production of samples of blood and urine to determine the level of alcohol or drugs, if any, present in a person's body; or


    (b) the taking of forensic samples, including samples not referred to in this Part; or


    (c) the taking of identification evidence; or


    (d) the carrying out of searches of the person; or


    (e) the retention or use of forensic material or information obtained as a result of activities described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d).


    (2)    
    To avoid any doubt, it is declared that even though another law of the Commonwealth provides power to do one or more of the things referred to in subsection (1), a similar power conferred by this Part may be used despite the existence of the power under the other law.




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