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Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000
98ARemoval of identifying information about suspects after
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98A Removal of identifying information about suspects after
1 year
(a) forensic material has been taken from a suspect by a forensic
procedure carried out under part 2.3 (Forensic procedures by
consent of suspect), part 2.4 (Non-intimate forensic procedures
on suspect by order of police officer) or part 2.5 (Forensic
procedures on suspect by order of magistrate); and
(b) identifying information about the suspect obtained from the
material is included on the ACT DNA database.
(2) If—
(a) 1 year has elapsed since the forensic material was taken; and
(b) a proceeding for an offence to which the forensic material relates
has not been begun or has been discontinued;
the identifying information must be removed from the ACT DNA
database unless a warrant for the apprehension of the suspect has been
issued.
(3) If a warrant for the apprehension of the suspect is issued within 1 year
after the forensic material is taken, the identifying information must
be removed from the ACT DNA database after—
(a) the warrant lapses; or
(b) 1 year elapses after the suspect is apprehended.
(4) If—
(a) the suspect is found guilty of an offence to which the forensic
material relates but no conviction is recorded; or
(b) the suspect is acquitted of an offence to which the forensic
material relates and—
(i) no appeal against the acquittal is made during the appeal
period; or
(ii) an appeal is made against the acquittal and the acquittal is
confirmed or the appeal is withdrawn;
the identifying information must be removed from the ACT DNA
database unless an investigation into, or a proceeding against the
suspect for, another offence to which the forensic material relates is
pending.
(5) A magistrate may, on application by the director of public
prosecutions, extend for not longer than 1 year the period for which
identifying information may be retained under this section, if the
magistrate is satisfied there are special reasons for doing so.
(6) A magistrate to whom an application is made under subsection (5)
may extend the period only if—
(a) the person from whom the forensic material was taken has been
notified by the director of public prosecutions that the
application has been made; and
(b) the person or his or her lawyer or interview friend (if any) has
been given an opportunity to speak to or make a submission to
the magistrate about the extension.
(7) An extension in relation to particular identifying information may be
given more than once.
(8) The magistrate must ensure that the responsible person for the
ACT DNA database is told about any extension given under this
section.
(9) In this section:
identifying information—see section 98 (6).
Part 2.12 Operation of Act and effect on other laws
Part 2.12 Operation of Act and effect on
other laws
99 Application of other Acts
(1) This Act is not intended to limit or exclude the operation of another
territory law relating to—
(a) the carrying out of forensic procedures, including procedures
not mentioned in this Act; or
(b) without limiting paragraph (a), the carrying out of breath
analysis or a breath test or the production of samples of blood
and urine to decide the level of alcohol or drugs (if any) present
in a person’s body; or
(c) the taking of forensic samples, including samples not mentioned
in this Act; or
(d) the carrying out of searches of the person.
(2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that even if another territory law
provides a power to do 1 or more of the things mentioned in
subsection (1), a similar power given by this Act may be exercised
despite the existence of the power under the other law.
Interstate enforcement Part 2.13