Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

CRIMES ACT 1914 - SECT 3ZH

             (1)  If a person who has been arrested for an offence is brought to a police station, a constable may:

                     (a)  if an ordinary search of the person has not been conducted--conduct an ordinary search of the person; or

                     (b)  subject to this section, conduct a strip search of the person.

             (2)  A strip search may be conducted if:

                     (a)  a constable suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has in his or her possession:

                              (i)  a seizable item; or

                             (ii)  evidential material (other than forensic material as defined in Part ID) in relation to that or another offence; and

                     (b)  the constable suspects on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to conduct a strip search of the person in order to recover that item or evidential material; and

                     (c)  a constable of the rank of superintendent or higher has approved the conduct of the search.

          (2A)  If:

                     (a)  in the course of carrying out a strip search, the constable comes to believe on reasonable grounds that the carrying out of a forensic procedure would be likely to produce evidence relating to the offence for which the person has been arrested or any other offence; and

                     (b)  Part ID provides for the carrying out of such a forensic procedure;

the forensic procedure must not be carried out except in accordance with Part ID.

          (2B)  The conducting of a strip search may include taking photographs of evidential material found on the person, whether or not taking photographs is a forensic procedure provided for by Part ID.

             (3)  Subject to section 3ZI, a strip search may also be conducted if the person consents in writing.

          (3A)  Subsection (3) does not authorise the conduct of a strip search for the purpose of obtaining forensic material as defined in Part ID. Such a search must not be conducted except in accordance with Part ID.

             (4)  Subject to section 3ZI, a strip search may be conducted in the presence of a medical practitioner who may assist in the search.

             (5)  The approval may be obtained by telephone, telex, facsimile or other electronic means.

             (6)  A constable who gives or refuses to give an approval for the purposes of paragraph (2)(c) must make a record of the decision and of the reasons for the decision.

             (7)  Such force as is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances may be used to conduct a strip search under subsection (2).

             (8)  Any item of a kind referred to in paragraph (2)(a) that is found during a strip search may be seized.