ACTIn ForceAct
Crimes Act 1900
210DEstablish crime scene—private premises
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210D Establish crime scene—private premises
(1) A police officer may establish a crime scene at private premises if—
(a) the police officer reasonably suspects that an offence punishable
by a term of imprisonment has been or is being committed at the
premises or somewhere else within or outside the ACT; and
(b) the police officer considers that it is reasonably necessary to
immediately establish a crime scene at the premises to protect or
preserve evidence relating to the offence; and
(c) consent has been given by—
(i) if the premises are occupied—the occupier of the premises;
or
(ii) if the premises are not occupied—the owner of the
premises.
(2) However, a police officer may establish a crime scene at private
premises without consent if—
(a) the police officer reasonably suspects that the offence is a
serious offence; and
(b) the police officer—
(i) has made reasonable attempts to obtain the consent of—
(A) if the premises are occupied—the occupier of the
(B) if the premises are not occupied—the owner of the
(ii) considers that it is reasonably necessary in the
circumstances to establish a crime scene without consent.
(3) In seeking the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises, the
police officer must tell the owner or occupier—
(a) if reasonably appropriate in the circumstances—the offence to
which the crime scene relates; and
(b) the expected duration of the crime scene.
(4) If the police officer establishes the crime scene at the premises
without consent, the officer must take reasonable steps to tell the
owner or occupier—
(a) that a crime scene has been established at the premises; and
(b) if reasonably appropriate in the circumstances—the offence to
which the crime scene relates; and
(c) the expected duration of the crime scene.
(5) For subsections (3) (a) and (4) (b), it is enough that the offence be
described in general terms and it is not necessary to describe the
offence precisely or using technical language.