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DNA Sampling

Who Can a Sample be Taken From?

Samples may be taken from a various range of individuals.  These include:

• Suspects;
• Charged persons;
• Prescribed offenders;
• Volunteers; and
• Blood relatives of a missing person.

What Type of Sample May Be Taken?

There are two categories of samples that may be taken, non-intimate and intimate.

Non-intimate includes any procedure prescribed by the Act as a Non-Intimate forensic procedure. The procedure that is being utilised by Tasmania Police in the majority of instances is the taking of a non-intimate sample using a Buccal Swab.  These swabs are provided within Nationally prepared kits.

Intimate includes other procedure prescribed by the Act as an Intimate forensic procedure. For a full listing of the forensic procedures please refer to the Forensic Procedures Act 2000.

When May a Sample be Taken?

Samples may be taken for offences defined as a "serious offence" under the Forensic Procedures Act 2000.

What Happens to the Sample?

The sample is packaged into a tamper-proof bag and forwarded to Forensic Science Service Tasmania (FSST) for analysis and storage.

Profiles derived from the samples will be placed on a DNA database and managed, including destruction, in accordance with the requirements of the Forensic Procedures Act 2000.