Crimes Act. Australia
information on oath or affirmation, that there are exceptional circumstances that justify the extension; and
(b) the extension would not result in the period ending after the expiry of the warrant.
3K Use of equipment to examine or process things
Equipment may be brought to warrant premises
(1) The executing officer of a warrant in relation to premises, or constable assisting, may bring to the warrant premises any equipment reasonably necessary for the examination or processing of a thing found at the premises in order to determine whether it is a thing that may be seized under the warrant.
Thing may be moved for examination or processing
(2) A thing found at warrant premises, or a thing found during a search under a warrant that is in force in relation to a person, may be moved to another place for examination or processing in order to determine whether it may be seized under a warrant if:
(a) both of the following apply:
(i) it is significantly more practicable to do so having regard to the timeliness and cost of examining or processing the thing at another place and the availability of expert assistance;
(ii) the executing officer or constable assisting suspects on reasonable grounds that the thing contains or constitutes evidential material; or
(b) for a thing found at warrant premises — the occupier of the premises consents in writing; or
(c) for a thing found during a search under a warrant that is in force in relation to a person — the person consents in writing.
Notification of examination or processing and right to be present
(3) If a thing is moved to another place for the purpose of examination or processing under subsection (2), the executing officer must, if it is practicable to do so:
(a) inform the person referred to in paragraph (2)(b) or (c) (as the case requires) of the address of the place and the time at which the examination or processing will be carried out; and
(b) allow that person or his or her representative to be present during the examination or processing.
(3AA) The executing officer need not comply with paragraph (3)(a) or (b) if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that to do so might:
(a) endanger the safety of a person; or
(b) prejudice an investigation or prosecution.
Time limit on moving a thing
(3A) The thing may be moved to another place for examination or processing for no longer than 14 days.
(3B) An executing officer may apply to an issuing officer for one or more extensions of that time if the executing officer believes on reasonable grounds that the thing cannot be examined or processed within 14 days or that time as previously extended.
(3C) The executing officer must give notice of the application to the person referred to in paragraph (2)(b) or (c) (as the case requires), and that person is entitled to be heard in relation to the application.
(3D) A single extension cannot exceed 7 days.
Equipment at warrant premises may be operated
(4) The executing officer of a warrant in relation to premises, or a constable assisting, may operate equipment already at the warrant premises to carry out the examination or processing of a thing found at the premises in order to determine whether it is a thing that may be seized under the warrant if the executing officer or constable believes on reasonable grounds that:
(a) the equipment is suitable for the examination or processing; and
(b) the examination or processing can be carried out without damage to the equipment or the thing.
3L Use of electronic equipment at premises
(1) The executing officer of a warrant in relation to premises, or a constable assisting, may operate electronic equipment at the warrant premises to access data (including data not held at the premises) if he or she suspects on reasonable grounds that the data constitutes evidential material.
Note: A constable can obtain an order requiring a person with knowledge of a computer or computer system to provide assistance: see section 3LA.
(1A) If the executing officer or constable assisting suspects on reasonable grounds that any data accessed by operating the electronic equipment constitutes evidential material, he or she may:
(a) copy any or all of the data accessed by operating the electronic equipment to a disk, tape or other associated device brought to the premises; or
(b) if the occupier of the premises agrees in writing — copy any or all of the data accessed by operating the electronic equipment to a disk, tape or other associated device at the premises;
and take the device from the premises.
(1B) If:
(a) the executing officer or constable assisting takes the device from the premises; and
(b) the Commissioner is satisfied that the data is not required (or is no longer required) for a purpose mentioned in section 3ZQU or for other judicial or administrative review proceedings;
the Commissioner must arrange for:
(c) the removal of the data from any device in the control of the Australian Federal Police; and
(d) the destruction of any other reproduction of the data in the control of the Australian Federal Police.
(2) If the executing officer or a constable assisting, after operating the equipment, finds that evidential material is accessible by doing so, he or she may:
(a) seize the equipment and any disk, tape or other associated device; or
(b) if the material can, by using facilities at the premises, be put in documentary form — operate the facilities to put the material in that form and seize the documents so produced.
(3) A constable may seize equipment under paragraph (2)(a) only if:
(a) it is not practicable to copy the data as mentioned in subsection (1A) or to put the material in documentary form as mentioned in paragraph (2)(b); or
(b) possession by the occupier of the equipment could constitute an offence.
(4) If the executing officer or a constable assisting suspects on reasonable grounds that:
(a) evidential material may be accessible by operating electronic equipment at the premises; and
(b) expert assistance is required to operate the equipment; and
(c) if he or she does not take action under this subsection, the material may be destroyed, altered or otherwise interfered with;
he or she may do whatever is necessary to secure the equipment, whether by locking it up, placing a guard or otherwise.
(5) The executing officer or a constable assisting must give notice to the occupier of the premises of his or her intention to secure equipment and of the fact that the equipment may be secured for up to 24 hours.
(6) The equipment may be secured:
(a) for a period not exceeding 24 hours; or
(b) until the equipment has been operated by the expert;
whichever happens first.
(7) If the executing officer or a constable assisting believes on reasonable grounds that the expert assistance will not be available within 24 hours, he or she may apply to an issuing officer for an extension of that period.
(8) The executing officer or a constable assisting must give notice to the occupier of the premises of his or her intention to apply for an extension, and the occupier is entitled to be heard in relation to the application.
(9)