NCJ Number
127668
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
As DNA profiling becomes a more widely accepted technique and refined even further, it will yield increasing amounts of information about individuals that can have a dramatic impact upon law enforcement. However, one legal area which is under scrutiny and is likely to evolve, is the authority of police to collect samples from suspects in order to perform the necessary analysis.
Abstract
A comparison between statutory provisions in New South Wales and Great Britain reveal wide differences in philosophy related to this issue. In New South Wales, the law allows police to obtain samples from a suspect only after charges have been made, while the law in Great Britain allows police access before charges for the dual purpose of inculpation and exculpation. The British law, which distinguishes between intimate and non-intimate samples, acts as a mechanism to confirm or disprove involvement in a crime, while the law in New South Wales is based only upon proving involvement. Unlike Great Britain, New South Wales does not require advance notice from prosecution and defense of intended expert evidence; such provisions could reduce disputes over forensic evidence and reduce court backlogs by simplifying some proceedings. 2 notes and 3 references