Monday, April 18, 2016

Police seizure of penis swab legitimate incident of arrest

R. v. M.T.  2016 NUCJ 09:

 

[42] The common law has long permitted the warrantless seizure from a suspect of fingerprints, swabs for gunshot residue, and finger nail scrapings as incident to a lawful arrest. Save for the fact that a penile swab requires exposure of the genital area, there is little to distinguish that procedure from the others I have just mentioned. The taking of a penile swab is a quick procedure, the body is not penetrated so there is no interference with bodily integrity, and very little force is applied. If the swab is taken in private in conformity with Golden, at paragraph 43, the impact on personal dignity is minimal and transient, and it leaves no lasting impression.

 

 

 

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