Text as at 26 April 2026

This provision has not been checked by a human. The text below was read automatically from the official PDF and has not yet been verified against it, so it may differ from the provision as published — in its wording, its numbering, or where one provision ends and the next begins. For the authorised text, see legislation.vic.gov.au.

464ZGFA Voluntary samples given by police or VIFM personnel

(1)In this section— Institute means the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine established under the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 2024; relevant agency means—

S. 464ZGFA(1) def. of Institute amended by No. 34/2024 s. 50(1).

(a)Victoria Police; or

(b)the Institute.

(2)Any of the following persons may volunteer to give to a relevant agency a sample of material from which a DNA profile may be derived—

(a)a member of Victoria Police personnel;

(b)the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute or a person employed under section 30 or 31 of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 2024;

(c)a visitor to—

(i)any premises at which the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department performs functions; or

(ii)any premises at which the Institute performs any of its functions.

(3)A sample may only be given under this section if the relevant agency has provided to the person volunteering to give the sample—

(a)a written statement that the sample is to be provided for the purpose of comparing a DNA profile obtained from the sample against any other DNA profile held by the relevant agency to eliminate the person as a possible source of DNA in—

(i)the investigation of a crime; or

(ii)the investigation of a reportable death within the meaning of the Coroners Act 2008; or

(iii)in the case of the Institute, testing conducted by the Institute in the performance of its objects and functions; and

(b)a written statement of the requirements of section 464ZGFB(3) and (5).

(4)A sample given under this section may be used only for the purpose referred to in subsection (3)(a).

(5)Evidence of a sample given by a person under this section and any DNA profile obtained from the sample is inadmissible as evidence against the person, unless the person consents to the admission of the evidence, in—

(a)any proceeding, whether civil or criminal; or

(b)a proceeding arising out of, or connected with, an investigation under Division 6 of Part 4, Part 5, Part 7, Part 9 or Part 10 of the Victoria Police Act 2013 in respect of the person; or

(c)a proceeding arising out of, or connected with, a critical incident (within the meaning of section 82 of the Victoria Police Act 2013).

(6)In subsection (5) a proceeding includes a coronial inquest or inquiry.

(7)A sample given under this section and any DNA profile obtained from the sample may not be released to any person outside the relevant agency unless the person who gave the sample consents to the release.

(8)A person must not knowingly use, or cause or permit to be used, or otherwise disseminate information derived from, a sample given under this section, any DNA profile obtained from the sample or any related information, other than in accordance with this section. Penalty: level 8 imprisonment (1 year maximum).

(9)An offence against subsection (8) is a summary offence.

(10)This section does not affect any other power to require a person referred to in subsection (2) to provide a sample or to undergo a forensic procedure.