Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

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POLICE ADMINISTRATION ACT 1978 - SECT 147N

Crime scene powers

    (1)     During the period a crime scene is maintained, the responsible member has the power to do any of the following:

        (a)     direct a person to leave the crime scene or remove a thing or animal from the crime scene;

        (b)     remove from the crime scene:

            (i)     a person who fails to comply with a direction to leave the crime scene; or

            (ii)     a thing or animal that a person fails to remove from the crime scene;

        (c)     direct a person not to enter the crime scene;

        (d)     prevent a person from entering the crime scene;

        (e)     prevent a person from removing a thing from or otherwise interfering with the crime scene or anything at the crime scene and, for that purpose, stop, detain and search the person;

        (f)     remove or direct the removal of an obstruction from the crime scene;

        (g)     conduct necessary investigations, including by searching the crime scene and inspecting anything at the crime scene to obtain evidence of the commission of a relevant offence;

        (h)     seize and detain all or part of a thing that might provide evidence of the commission of a relevant offence;

            (i)     open anything at the crime scene that is locked;

        (j)     take electricity, gas or any other utility for use at the crime scene;

        (k)     direct the occupier, or a person apparently involved in the management or control, of the place where the crime scene is located to maintain a continuous supply of electricity at the crime scene;

        (l)     photograph or otherwise record the crime scene and anything at the crime scene;

        (m)     dig up anything at the crime scene;

        (n)     remove walls, ceilings or floors of a building at the crime scene;

        (o)     dismantle anything in or at the crime scene;

        (p)     exercise any other power that:

            (i)     it is reasonably necessary to exercise; or

            (ii)     is reasonably incidental to a power conferred by this subsection.

    (2)     The power conferred by subsection (1)(h) to seize and detain a thing at the crime scene includes the power:

        (a)     to remove the thing from the crime scene; and

        (b)     to guard the thing at the crime scene.

    (3)     Crime scene powers may also be exercised by other members of the Police Force and other persons assisting the responsible member at the crime scene.

    (4)     A member or person assisting the responsible member at the crime scene is subject to the directions of the responsible member.



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