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Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000
2011A2011-12, s 2 and CN2012-4)
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Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000.
2011 A2011-12, s 2 and CN2012-4)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2013
(No 3) A2013-20 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 13 June 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 13 June 2013 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 14 June 2013 (s 2 (1))
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 (No 2) A2013-50 pt 6
notified LR 9 December 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 December 2013 (LA s 75)
ss 13, 15 and 16 commenced 6 January 2014 (s 2 (1))
pt 6 remainder commenced 10 December 2013 (s 2 (2))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2014
(No 2) A2014-49 sch 1 pt 1.5
notified LR 10 November 2014
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 November 2014 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 17 November 2014 (s 2)
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-3 pt 4
notified LR 2 March 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 2 March 2015 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 4 commenced 3 March 2015 (s 2 (1))
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) A2015-36 pt 4
notified LR 1 October 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 October 2015 (LA s 75)
pt 4 commenced 2 October 2015 (s 2)
Crimes (Domestic and Family Violence) Legislation Amendment
Act 2015 A2015-40 sch 1 pt 1.6
notified LR 4 November 2015
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.6 commenced 4 May 2016 (s 2 (2))
Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2018 A2018-33
sch 1 pt 1.7
notified LR 25 September 2018
s 1, s 2 commenced 25 September 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.7 commenced 23 October 2018 (s 2 (4))
Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment
Act 2024 A2024-40 sch 1 pt 1.3
notified LR 12 September 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 12 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 19 September 2024 (s 2)
Commencement
s 2 om R1 LRA
Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc
s 4A ins A2008-23 s 4
Preliminary
pt 2.1 hdg sub A2015-36 s 12
What is an intimate forensic procedure?
s 6 am A2003-14 amdt 1.40; A2008-23 s 5, s 6
What is a non-intimate forensic procedure?
s 7 am A2008-23 s 7, s 8
Meaning of serious offence and serious offender
s 9 am A2008-44 amdt 1.44
Meaning of volunteer
s 10 am A2015-36 s 13
Meaning of investigating police officer
s 11 sub A2008-23 s 9
Meaning of authorised applicant
s 12 am A2008-23 s 10
Meaning of appropriately qualified person
s 13 am A2011-3 amdt 3.152
Meaning of close associate
s 14A ins A2015-36 s 14
Meaning of incapable person
s 15 am A2015-36 s 15, s 16
Interview friend
s 16 am A2015-3 s 8; A2015-36 s 17, s 18; pars renum R25 LA
Police officer to ask if person is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
s 17 am A2002-30 amdt 3.134
om A2003-14 amdt 1.41
ins A2015-36 s 19
How forensic procedures may be authorised in different circumstances
s 18 am A2003-41 amdt 3.21; table renum R7 LA; A2008-23 s 11
Matters that suspect must be informed of before giving consent
s 24 am A2008-23 ss 12-16
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander suspects
s 24A ins A2015-36 s 20
Matters to be considered by police officer before ordering forensic
s 29 am A2001-9 amdt 1.6
Circumstances in which magistrate may order forensic procedure
s 32 am A2008-23 s 17
Application for order
s 35 am A2008-23 s 18
Securing the presence of suspects at hearings—suspect not in custody
s 37 am A2008-23 s 19, A2013-20 amdt 1.2; A2013-50 s 13;
ss renum R22 LA; A2015-3 s 9, s 10
Procedure at hearing of application for order
s 38 am A2008-23 s 20, s 21; ss renum R11 LA; A2010-40
amdt 2.5; A2015-3 s 11; A2015-40 amdt 1.9
Action to be taken on making of orders
s 39 am A2008-23 s 22; A2015-3 s 12
Suspect in custody may be kept in custody for carrying out forensic
s 40 hdg sub A2009-7 amdt 1.2
s 40 am A2009-7 amdt 1.2
Magistrate may order arrest etc of suspect not in custody for carrying out
s 40A ins A2009-7 amdt 1.3
Arrest, removal and detention of suspect
s 40B ins A2009-7 amdt 1.3
Arrest and removal order—warrant to enter premises
s 40C ins A2009-7 amdt 1.3
Warrant to enter premises—announcement before entry and copy of warrant
s 40D ins A2009-7 amdt 1.3
Applications for interim orders
s 42 am A2008-23 s 23, s 24; A2011-48 amdt 1.19; A2015-3 s 13;
A2018-33 amdt 1.13
Procedure at hearing of application for interim order
s 43 am A2008-23 s 25; A2018-33 amdt 1.13
Action to be taken on making of interim orders
s 44 am A2018-33 amdt 1.13
Meaning of relevant person—pt 2.6
s 48A ins A2008-23 s 26
General rules for carrying out forensic procedures
s 49 am A2008-23 s 27
Rules for carrying out forensic procedures—giving and recording
information
s 49A ins A2003-14 amdt 1.42
sub A2008-23 s 28
Rules for carrying out forensic procedures—transgender and intersex
people
s 49B ins A2008-23 s 28
am A2015-3 s 14
Forensic procedures not to be carried out in cruel, inhuman or degrading
way
s 51 am A2008-23 s 29
Taking samples of hair
s 52 sub A2008-23 s 30
People who may carry out forensic procedures
s 53 table renum R7 LA
am A2008-23 ss 31-33
Sex of person carrying out or helping carry out forensic procedures
s 54 sub A2008-23 s 34
am A2013-50 s 14
sub A2015-3 s 15
Doctor or dentist of person’s choice may be present for most forensic
s 56 hdg sub A2008-23 s 35
s 56 am A2008-23 s 35; ss renum R11 LA; A2010-10 amdt 2.23
Presence of interview friend or lawyer while forensic procedure is carried out
s 57 am A2008-23 ss 36-38; A2015-3 s 16; A2015-36 s 21; ss
renum R25 LA
Presence of police officers while forensic procedure is carried out
s 58 am A2008-23 s 39, s 40
Recording of carrying out of forensic procedure
div 2.6.4 hdg sub A2008-23 s 41
Recording of forensic procedure
s 59 sub A2008-23 s 41
Samples
s 60 sub A2008-23 s 42
Photographs or video recordings
s 61 sub A2008-23 s 42
Results of analysis
s 62 sub A2008-23 s 42
Non–intimate forensic procedures authorised to be carried out
s 65 am A2008-23 s 43
Forensic procedures to be in accordance with pt 2.6
s 67 sub A2008-23 s 44
Scope of authorisation
s 68 sub A2008-23 s 44
Matters to be considered by police officer before requesting consent to
s 71 am A2006-23 amdt 1.92
Matters that serious offender must be informed of before giving consent
s 72 am A2006-23 amdt 1.93; A2008-23 ss 45-48; pars renum
R11 LA; A2010-10 amdt 2.23
Court order for carrying out of forensic procedure on serious offender
s 77 am A2013-50 s 15; ss renum R22 LA
Securing the presence of serious offender at hearing—offender in custody
s 77A ins A2013-50 s 16
am A2015-3 s 17
Securing the presence of serious offender at hearing—offender not in
custody
s 77B ins A2013-50 s 16
am A2015-3 s 18, s 19
Procedure at hearing of application for order
s 77C ins A2013-50 s 16
am A2015-3 ss 20-22; A2015-40 amdt 1.10
Carrying out of forensic procedure following conviction
s 78 am A2006-23 amdts 1.94-1.97; A2008-23 s 49
Carrying out of forensic procedures on volunteers
s 79 am A2008-23 s 50
sub A2015-36 s 22
Informed consent of volunteer or parent, guardian or close associate of
volunteer
s 80 hdg sub A2015-36 s 23
s 80 sub A2008-23 s 51; A2015-36 s 24
Consent to retention of forensic material taken etc
s 80A ins A2008-23 s 51
am A2015-36 s 25
Recording of giving of information etc
s 81 sub A2008-23 s 51
am A2015-36 s 26
Withdrawal of consent or end of agreed retention period
s 82 hdg sub A2008-23 s 52
s 82 am A2008-23 s 53, s 54; A2011-3 amdt 3.153; A2015-36 s 27
Circumstances in which magistrate may order carrying out of forensic
procedure on child or incapable person
s 83 am A2008-23 s 55; A2015-36 ss 28-30
Retention of forensic material etc by order of magistrate
s 84 hdg sub A2008-23 s 56
s 84 am A2008-23 s 56, 57; ss renum R11 LA; A2011-3
amdt 3.154; A2015-36 s 31
Certain volunteers—information about matching of DNA profile
s 84A ins A2008-23 s 58
Analysis of forensic material
pt 2.8A hdg ins A2008-23 s 59
Who may analyse forensic material?
s 84B ins A2008-23 s 59
Inadmissibility of evidence from improper forensic procedures etc
s 85 am A2008-23 s 60, s 61
Inadmissibility of evidence if forensic material required to be destroyed
s 86 am A2008-23 s 62
Destruction of certain forensic material obtained by court order
s 90 am A2008-23 s 63, s 64
Application for destruction of forensic material after 1 year
s 92 sub A2008-23 s 65
ACT DNA database
pt 2.11 hdg sub A2008-23 s 66
Definitions—Act
s 94 hdg sub A2008-23 s 67
s 94 sub A2001-63 s 45
am A2011-3 amdt 3.156
def ACT DNA database ins A2008-23 s 68
def arrest and removal order ins A2009-7 amdt 1.4
def corresponding DNA index sub A2001-63 s 45
om A2011-3 amdt 3.155
def corresponding statistical index sub A2001-63 s 45
om A2011-3 amdt 3.155
def crime scene index sub A2001-63 s 45
def DNA database system sub A2001-63 s 45
def missing persons index sub A2001-63 s 45
def serious offenders index sub A2001-63 s 45
def statistical index sub A2001-63 s 45
def suspects index sub A2001-63 s 45
def unknown deceased persons index sub A2001-63 s 45
def volunteers (limited purposes) index sub A2001-63 s 45
am A2008-23 s 69
def volunteers (unlimited purposes) index sub A2001-63
s 45
am A2008-23 s 70; A2015-36 s 32, s 33
ACT DNA database
s 94A ins A2008-23 s 71
Supply of forensic material for prohibited analysis etc
s 95 hdg sub A2008-23 s 72
s 95 am A2001-9 amdt 1.7 (see also A2001-70 amdt 1.7);
A2001-63 s 46, s 47; A2008-23 s 73, s 74
Use of information on ACT DNA database
s 96 hdg sub A2008-23 s 75
s 96 am A2008-23 ss 76-79; ss renum R11 LA; A2014-49 amdt 1.8,
amdt 1.9
Permissible matching of DNA profiles
s 97 am A2004-32 s 74; ss renum R7 (see A2004-32 s 75)
sub A2008-23 s 80
Recording, retention and removal of identifying information on ACT DNA
database
s 98 sub A2008-23 s 81
am A2011-3 amdt 3.157
Removal of identifying information about suspects after 1 year
s 98A ins A2008-23 s 81
Definitions relating to interstate enforcement
s 100 def corresponding law sub A2001-63 s 48
def DNA database sub A2001-63 s 48; A2008-23 s 82
def NCIDD ins A2008-23 s 83
Database information
s 102 sub A2008-23 s 84
Powers of lawyers and interview friends
s 103 sub A2008-23 s 85
am A2015-3 s 23
Obligation of investigating police officers relating to electronic recordings
s 104 am A2008-23 s 86; A2015-3 s 24
Material required to be made available to suspect, serious offender or
volunteer
s 105 am A2008-23 s 87, s 88
Disclosure of information
s 111 am A2008-23 ss 89-93; pars renum R11 LA; A2014-49
amdt 1.10
Taking, retention and use of forensic material in accordance with another
law
s 112 am A2001-56 amdt 3.241; A2024-40 amdt 1.4
Delegation by chief police officer
s 114 sub A2002-30 amdt 3.135
Forensic procedures under pt 2.7
s 116 am A2008-23 s 94
Existing arrangements—s 102
s 118 ins A2008-23 s 95
exp 11 July 2009 (s 118 (3))
dict am A2002-11 amdt 2.27; A2002-30 amdt 3.136; A2003-14
amdt 1.43; A2008-23 s 96; A2010-10 amdt 2.24; A2011-3
amdt 3.158; A2011-28 amdt 3.47; A2014-49 amdt 1.11,
amdt 1.12; A2015-36 s 34
def Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person ins A2015-3
s 25
def ACT DNA database ins A2008-23 s 97
def agreed retention period ins A2011-3 amdt 3.159
def another Territory om A2011-3 amdt 3.160
def appeal period ins A2008-23 s 97
def arrest and removal order ins A2009-7 amdt 1.4
def close associate ins A2015-36 s 35
def correctional centre ins A2006-23 amdt 1.98
def corrections health practitioner ins A2010-10 amdt 2.25
def corrections health professional ins A2008-23 s 97
om A2010-10 amdt 2.25
def dental technician ins A2011-28 amdt 3.48
def DNA database system sub A2008-23 s 98
def forensic order am A2015-36 s 36
def function om A2002-30 amdt 3.137
def health professional ins A2008-23 s 99
om A2010-10 amdt 2.26
def informed consent am A2015-36 s 37
def medical officer ins A2006-23 amdt 1.98
om A2008-23 s 100
def member of the opposite sex om A2002-30 amdt 3.138
def member of the same sex om A2002-30 amdt 3.138
def opposite sex ins A2002-30 amdt 3.139
om A2003-14 amdt 1.44
def prison om A2006-23 amdt 1.99
def prison medical officer om A2006-23 amdt 1.99
def recognised transgender person om A2003-14 amdt 1.45
def relevant person ins A2008-23 s 101
def remand centre om A2006-23 amdt 1.99
def responsible person sub A2008-23 s 102
def same sex ins A2002-30 amdt 3.139
om A2003-14 amdt 1.46
def summary offence am A2001-56 amdt 3.242
om A2002-11 amdt 2.28
def transgender person om A2003-14 amdt 1.47
def warrant am A2004-60 amdt 1.112; A2005-20 amdt 3.106
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
for
R1 (RI)
16 Oct 2003
16 Oct 2000–
7 Mar 2001
not amended new Act
reissue of
printed version
R1A
16 Oct 2003
8 Mar 2001–
4 Sept 2001
A2001-9 amendments by
A2001-9
23 Nov 2001
27 Sept 2001–
A2001-70 amendments by
A2001-56,
A2001-63 and
A2001-70
28 May 2002–
16 Sept 2002
A2002-11 amendments by
A2002-11
17 Sept 2002
17 Sept 2002–
27 Mar 2003
A2002-30 amendments by
A2002-30
28 Mar 2003
28 Mar 2003–
8 Oct 2003
A2003-14 amendments by
A2003-14
R6*
9 Oct 2003
9 Oct 2003–
A2003-41 amendments by
A2003-41
13 July 2004–
9 Jan 2005
A2004-32 amendments by
A2004-32
10 Jan 2005
10 Jan 2005–
A2004-60 amendments by
A2004-60
2 June 2005–
A2005-20 amendments by
A2005-20
2 June 2006–
A2006-23 amendments by
A2006-23
Earlier republications 5
for
11 July 2008–
5 Mar 2009
A2008-23 amendments by
A2008-23
6 Mar 2009
6 Mar 2009–
A2009-7 amendments by
A2009-7
30 May 2009–
A2009-7 amendments by
A2008-44
R14*
12 July 2009–
A2009-7 commenced
expiry
1 July 2010–
1 Nov 2010
A2010-10 amendments by
A2010-10
2 Nov 2010
2 Nov 2010–
28 Feb 2011
A2010-40 amendments by
A2010-40
1 Mar 2011
1 Mar 2011–
20 Sept 2011
A2011-3 amendments by
A2011-3
21 Sept 2011
21 Sept 2011–
29 Feb 2012
A2011-28 amendments by
A2011-28
1 Mar 2012
1 Mar 2012–
A2011-48 amendments by
A2011-48
14 June 2013–
9 Dec 2013
A2013-20 amendments by
A2013-20
10 Dec 2013
10 Dec 2013–
5 Jan 2014
A2013-50 amendments by
A2013-50
6 Jan 2014
6 Jan 2014–
16 Nov 2014
A2013-50 amendments by
A2013-50
17 Nov 2014
17 Nov 2014–
2 Mar 2015
A2014-49 amendments by
A2014-49
3 Mar 2015
3 Mar 2015–
1 Oct 2015
A2015-3 amendments by
A2015-3
2 Oct 2015
2 Oct 2015–
A2015-36 amendments by
A2015-36
for
4 May 2016–
22 Oct 2018
A2015-40 amendments by
A2015-40
23 Oct 2018
23 Oct 2018–
18 Sept 2024
A2018-33 amendments by
A2018-33