Background & Purpose
Authorities have needed better ways to investigate crimes where the suspect is under the age of criminal responsibility (15 years old). This is to ensure that facts can be gathered even when the suspect cannot be prosecuted.
Proposals & Debate
The government proposed allowing police to use more intrusive methods, such as searching homes and taking biometric data (like fingerprints or photos), on children under 15. The proposal also included a new rule to keep people at a crime scene until they are identified.
The Decision
The parliament approved the proposal, meaning police will have broader authority to use investigative tools on children under 15 starting July 1, 2026.
Does this affect you?
- Children under 15: They will be subject to more frequent police investigative measures, such as searches and biometric data collection, if suspected of a crime.
- Law enforcement officers: They gain clearer legal authority to use specific investigative tools when dealing with young suspects.
In Practice
- Police can perform body searches and house searches on children under 15 in more situations than before.
- Authorities can collect biometric data, such as fingerprints, from children under 15 more easily.
- Police gain the right to keep a group of people at a crime scene to identify who is present.
- New rules apply for how police use these tools when they reopen old investigations to see if a decision needs to be changed.