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CRIMES ACT 1914

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CRIMES ACT 1914 SECT 23WO

23WO Matters to be considered by senior constable before ordering forensic procedure
(1)
The senior constable must be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that:
(a)
the suspect is in the lawful custody of a constable; and
(b)
there are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspect committed a relevant offence; and
(c)
there are reasonable grounds to believe that the forensic procedure is likely to produce evidence tending to confirm or disprove that the suspect committed a relevant offence; and
(d)
the carrying out of the forensic procedure without consent is justified in all the circumstances.
(2)
In determining whether the carrying out of the forensic procedure without consent is justified in all the circumstances, the senior constable must balance the public interest in obtaining evidence tending to confirm or disprove that the suspect committed the offence concerned against the public interest in upholding the physical integrity of the suspect.
(3)
In balancing those interests, the senior constable must have regard to the following matters:
(a)
the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the commission of the relevant offence and the gravity of the relevant offence;
(b)
the degree of the suspect's alleged participation in the commission of the relevant offence;
(c)
the age, physical and mental health, cultural background and (where appropriate) religious beliefs of the suspect, to the extent that they are known to the senior constable or can reasonably be discovered by the senior constable (by asking the suspect or otherwise);
(d)
if the senior constable believes on reasonable grounds that the suspect is an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander—the suspect's customary beliefs (if any), to the extent that they are known to the senior constable or can reasonably be discovered by the senior constable (by asking the suspect or otherwise);
(e)
whether there is a less intrusive but reasonably practicable way of obtaining evidence tending to confirm or disprove that the suspect committed the relevant offence;
(f)
if the suspect gives any reasons for refusing to consent—the reasons;
(g)
any other matter considered relevant to balancing those interests.
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