Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000 - NSW Ombudsman - NSW ...

• establishing ‘best practice’ for the conduct of DNA sampling, and making the senior police order process more
accountable and transparent
• improving the way forensic procedures are managed at a local level – including the development of a
forensic procedures portfolio in each police command, with a designated forensic procedures officer
responsible for the portfolio and a small team of officers who are responsible for conducting forensic
procedures in the command
• improving and streamlining record keeping by NSW Police and DAL, particularly in relation to police computer
records of forensic procedures and DNA analysis results, to improve accuracy and reduce duplication
• establishing an audit process between DAL and NSW Police, to ensure information on the database is correct,
including that DNA profiles are identified by a person’s real name and not an alias
• taking away the ability of ordinary police officers to transfer forensic procedures from one person’s record
to another
• establishing new turnaround times for DNA analysis, to reflect DAL’s current workload
• clarifying who is the “responsible person” for the DNA database
• considering whether all police officers, forensic officers, scene of crime officers and laboratory staff should
have their DNA profiles on an elimination database
• considering whether the covert collection of DNA samples should be regulated, and
• requiring NSW Police to include information about covert DNA sampling, forensic procedures conducted by
force and DNA analysis results in its Annual Report
NSW Police and other agencies support the majority of our recommendations.
Conclusions
The implementation of the Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act has provided police with further tools in the investigation
and prosecution of criminal offences. This has generally been achieved with due regard to the rights and interests of
people police wish to undergo forensic procedures.
We have identified a number of legislative and procedural issues for consideration by Parliament and relevant
agencies. We have also identified key issues that should be kept under scrutiny into the future.
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NSW Ombudsman
DNA sampling and other forensic procedures conducted on suspects and volunteers under the Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000