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Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000
83Circumstances in which magistrate may order carrying
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83 Circumstances in which magistrate may order carrying
out of forensic procedure on child or incapable person
(1) A magistrate may order the carrying out of a forensic procedure on a
child or incapable person if—
(a) consent to the carrying out of the forensic procedure cannot
reasonably be obtained from—
(i) if the person is a child—the parent or guardian of the child;
or
(ii) if the person is an incapable person—the parent, guardian
or close associate of the incapable person; or
(b) the parent or guardian of the child or the parent, guardian or
close associate of the incapable person refuses consent to the
carrying out of the forensic procedure and the magistrate is
satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe—
(i) the parent, guardian or incapable person is a suspect; and
(ii) the forensic procedure is likely to produce evidence
tending to confirm or disprove that the parent, guardian or
close associate committed an offence.
(2) In deciding whether to make an order under this section, the
magistrate must take into account—
(a) whether this Act would authorise the carrying out of the forensic
procedure apart from this section; and
(b) if the forensic procedure is being carried out for the purposes of
the investigation of a particular offence—the seriousness of the
circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence; and
(c) the best interests of the child or incapable person; and
(d) so far as they can be found out, any wishes of the child or
incapable person about whether the forensic procedure should
be carried out; and
Note A forensic procedure cannot be carried out on a child or incapable person
who objects to or resists the carrying out of the procedure even if the
magistrate makes an order (see s 79).
(e) except in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) (b), any
wishes expressed by the parent or guardian of the child or parent,
guardian or close associate of the incapable person about
whether the forensic procedure should be carried out; and
(f) whether the carrying out of the forensic procedure is justified in
all the circumstances.
(3) An order under this section—
(a) may require the forensic procedure to be carried out at a date,
time or place, or in a way, stated in the order; and
(b) must state the period for which forensic material obtained from
carrying out the procedure or information obtained from
analysis of the material may be retained.