OBTAINING BLOOD SAMPLES FROM FOREIGN WORKERS IN AFTERMATH OF ATTACK

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OBTAINING BLOOD SAMPLES FROM FOREIGN WORKERS IN AFTERMATH OF ATTACK

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(Legal basis): **

1.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he will clarify the legal basis for the police to take blood samples from about 200 foreign workers in the aftermath of the attack on a university student at Clementi Woods Park in June 2008.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: In the course of police investigations into a reported case of sexual assault at Clementi Woods Park on 18th June 2008, body samples were taken from foreign workers working at nearby construction sites. This involved taking blood samples after the workers had voluntarily given their consent.

The legal basis for this is found in section 13D of the Registration of Criminals Act, which provides that a person may give a body sample, which includes a blood sample, on a voluntary basis if the person was present at the scene of a crime when it was committed, or if the person is being questioned in connection with the investigation of a crime.