VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT LAW REFORM COMMITTEE FORENSIC SAMPLING AND DNA DATABASES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Ordered to be printed Melbourne Government Printer 2004 No. 58 of Session 2003-04 Forensic Sampling and DNA Databases in Criminal Investigations Level 8, 35 Spring Street Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: (03) 9651 3644 Fax: (03) 9651 3674 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lawreform Parliament of Victoria Australia Law Reform Committee Forensic Sampling and DNA Databases in Criminal Investigations ISBN – 0-7313-5394-3 T HE L AW R EFORM C OMMITTEE Chair Mr Rob Hudson MP (55th session) Mr Murray Thompson MP (54th session) Deputy Chair Mr Noel Maughan MP (55th session) Ms Dianne Hadden MLC (54th session) Members IN THE 55TH SESSION: Hon. Andrew Brideson MLC Hon Richard Dalla-Riva MLC Ms Dianne Hadden MLC Ms Dympna Beard MP Mr Tony Lupton MP IN THE 54TH SESSION: Hon. Ron Bowden MLC ( from 26 September 2001) Hon. Peter Katsambanis MLC Mr Telmo Languiller MP Ms Andrea McCall MP Mr Bob Stensholt MP Executive Officer Ms Merrin Mason Research Officers Ms Sue Kaufmann Inquiry into Forensic Sampling and DNA Databases in Criminal Investigations Ms Kristin Giles Inquiry into Administration of Justice Offences Office Manager Ms Jaime Cook iii Forensic Sampling and DNA Databases in Criminal Investigations T ERMS OF R EFERENCE Reference from the Legislative Council, 21 November 2001 That, pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968 (Vic), the Law Reform Committee be required to inquire into, consider and report on the following: The collection, use and effectiveness of forensic sampling and the use of DNA databases in criminal investigations, with particular emphasis on identifying areas and procedures which would more effectively utilise forensic sampling and improve investigation and detection of crime.