Forensics

Question 1

Taking finger print age restrictions

Answer 1

• under 10: police may not take finger prints.
• 10-14: police may take fingerprints with the consent of the suspect and their parents, if consent is refused consent is required by the children’s court, police may use reasonable force to take the prints and a parent or guardian must be present.

Question 2

Taking finger prints restrictions

Answer 2

15-17: consent required by suspect, if consent is refused police may use reasonable force to take the prints, a parent guardian or independent person must be present.

18+: prints can be taken with suspects informed consent, if consent is refused police may use reasonable force to take prints.

Question 3

Forensic procedures

Answer 3

Police can take fingerprints form a suspect if the suspect has committed an indictable offence.

Non intimate samples: hair, toe scrapings, external swabs etc. if consent is not given, it can be ordered by a senior P.O.
Intimate: blood, saliva, pubic hair etc. must be carried out by a medical practitioner. If consent is refused, it can be ordered by a magistrates.

Question 4

Children

Answer 4

Children court is required for forensic samples of any kind to be taken from suspects between 10-17.

Question 5

Rules

Answer 5

Forensic samples must be destroyed within 6 months if the accused is found not guilty.

A court can order samples to be taken of a person convicted of indictable offences to assist investigations unsolved crimes.