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 12 - Review of operation of Part  

    SECTION 23YV   Review of operation of Part  

    (1)    


    The Minister must cause an independent review of:


    (a) the operation of this Part; and


    (b) the extent to which the forensic procedures permitted by this Part have contributed to the conviction of suspects; and


    (ba) the effectiveness of independent oversight and accountability mechanisms for the DNA database system; and


    (bb) any disparities between the legislative and regulatory regimes of the Commonwealth and participating jurisdictions for the collection and use of DNA evidence; and


    (bc) any issues relating to privacy or civil liberties arising from forensic procedures permitted by this part; and


    (c) any other matter in relation to this Part which, in the Minister's view, should be considered;

    to be undertaken as soon as possible after the first anniversary of the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Crimes Amendment (Forensic Procedures) Act 2001 referred to in subsection 2(2) of that Act.


    (2)    
    A person who undertakes the review must give the Minister a written report of the review.

    (3)    
    The Minister must cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after its receipt by the Minister.

    (4)    


    In this section:

    independent review
    means a review undertaken by persons who:


    (a) in the Minister's opinion, possess appropriate qualifications to undertake the review; and


    (b) include a nominee of the Attorney-General, a nominee of the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, a nominee of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a nominee of the Ombudsman and a person nominated by the Information Commissioner in the performance of the privacy functions (within the meaning of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2009 ).


    (5)    


    If a written report tabled under subsection (3) identifies inadequacies in respect of the matters referred to in subsection (1):


    (a) the Minister must cause persons to commence, no later than 1 November 2009, a further independent review to ascertain whether the inadequacies have been effectively dealt with; and


    (b) subsections (2), (3) and (4) apply in relation to the report of that further review in the same manner as they apply in respect of the report of the original review.



     

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