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

Term
Definition / explanation
DPP
ERISP
Excluded volunteer
Familial searching
Forensic material
Forensic procedure
FPIT
FSG
FSS
FTA paper
GSR
Hair sample
Director of Public Prosecutions.
An Electronically Recorded Interview of a Suspected Person. An ERISP is an
audiovisual recording of a police interview with a suspect. ERISPs are recorded
by fixed cameras that automatically pan the room and zoom in for close-ups of
the person being interviewed.
A volunteer to whom the Act does not apply. Victims of crime and volunteers
who provide elimination fingerprints are excluded volunteers.
An investigative technique which aims to identify a suspect based on similarities
between a DNA profile obtained from a crime scene, and the profile of a relative
of the suspect.
Any samples, hand prints, finger prints, foot prints, toe prints, photographs,
casts or impressions, taken from or of a person’s body.
A way to obtain evidence that relates to the investigation and prosecution of
a crime. The Act authorises three different categories of forensic procedures
– buccal swabs (for DNA sampling), intimate forensic procedures and nonintimate
forensic procedures. A forensic procedure does not include the taking
of any sample for the sole purpose of establishing the identify of a person.
The NSW Police Forensic Procedures Implementation Team. FPIT is part of the
Forensic Services Group, and supports police officers in their use of forensic
procedure powers.
The NSW Police Forensic Services Group is involved in the scientific
investigation of criminal matters. It consists of the Forensic Procedures
Implementation Team, Crime Scene Operations Branch, Criminal Identification
Specialist Branch, Criminal Records Section, Counter Terrorist and Disaster
Victim Identification, Professional Services Branch, Clinical Forensic Medicine
Unit, and CrimTrac Coordination Unit.
The Forensic Science Service is an executive agency of the United Kingdom’s
Home Office. The FSS consists of seven laboratories and provides forensic
science services to police forces in England and Wales, as well as being a
source of training, consultancy, and scientific support for many overseas and
private sector customers. The FSS maintains the UK’s National DNA Database.
Specially treated paper used by police officers for DNA samples taken by
buccal swab. FTA stands for ‘Flinders Technology Associates.’ FTA Technology
is a chemical treatment that was designed by scientists at Flinders University in
South Australia. The paper stabilises the DNA and protects it from oxidation, UV
damage and microbial and fungal attack. This means the sample can be stored
at room temperature, instead of being refrigerated.
Gun shot residue. A gun shot residue test involves the swabbing or lifting
by tape of any residue left on a suspect who may have recently fired a gun.
GSR tests have to be conducted within a few hours of a gun being fired to be
effective.
A forensic procedure, usually conducted because a suspect does not consent
to providing a DNA sample by buccal swab. Police remove 15-20 hairs from the
head or other part of the body (excluding pubic hair). To obtain a DNA profile,
the hair must be pulled out with the root attached.
NSW Ombudsman
DNA sampling and other forensic procedures conducted on suspects and volunteers under the Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000 295