Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

Sufficient evidenceS

282 Evidence as to controlled drugs and medicinal products.S

(1)For the purposes of any criminal proceedings, evidence given by an authorised forensic scientist, either orally or in a report purporting to be signed by him, that a substance which satisfies either of the conditions specified in subsection (2) below is—

(a)a particular controlled drug or medicinal product; or

(b)a particular product which is listed in the British Pharmacopoeia as containing a particular controlled drug or medicinal product,

shall, subject to subsection (3) below, be sufficient evidence of that fact notwithstanding that no analysis of the substance has been carried out.

(2)Those conditions are—

(a)that the substance is in a sealed container bearing a label identifying the contents of the container; or

(b)that the substance has a characteristic appearance having regard to its size, shape, colour and manufacturer’s mark.

(3)A party proposing to rely on subsection (1) above (“the first party”) shall, not less than 14 days before the [F1relevant] diet, serve on the other party (“the second party”)—

(a)a notice to that effect; and

(b)where the evidence is contained in a report, a copy of the report,

and if the second party serves on the first party, not more than seven days after the date of service of the notice on him, a notice that he does not accept the evidence as to the identity of the substance, subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to that evidence.

[F2(3A)In subsection (3) above, “the relevant diet” means—

(a)in the case of proceedings in the High Court, the preliminary hearing;

(b)in any other case, the trial diet.]

(4)A notice or copy report served in accordance with subsection (3) above shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal; and a written execution purporting to be signed by the person who served the notice or copy together with, where appropriate, the relevant post office receipt shall be sufficient evidence of such service.

(5)In this section—

• “controlled drug” has the same meaning as in the M1Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and

• “medicinal product” has the same meaning as in the M2Medicines Act 1968.

283 Evidence as to time and place of video surveillance recordings.S

(1)For the purposes of any criminal proceedings, a certificate purporting to be signed by a person responsible for the operation of a video surveillance system and certifying—

(a)the location of the camera;

(b)the nature and extent of the person’s responsibility for the system; and

(c)that visual images [F3(and any sounds) recorded on a particular device are images (and sounds), recorded by the system, of (or relating to)] events which occurred at a place specified in the certificate at a time and date so specified,

shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be sufficient evidence of the matters contained in the certificate.

(2)A party proposing to rely on subsection (1) above (“the first party”) shall, not less than 14 days before the [F4relevant] diet, serve on the other party (“the second party”) a copy of the certificate and, if the second party serves on the first party, not more than seven days after the date of service of the copy certificate on him, a notice that he does not accept the evidence contained in the certificate, subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to that evidence.

[F5(2A)In subsection (2) above, “the relevant diet” means—

(a)in the case of proceedings in the High Court, the preliminary hearing;

(b)in any other case, the trial diet.]

(3)A copy certificate or notice served in accordance with subsection (2) above shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal; and a written execution purporting to be signed by the person who served the copy or notice together with, where appropriate, the relevant post office receipt shall be sufficient evidence of such service.

(4)In this section, “video surveillance system” means apparatus consisting of a camera mounted in a fixed position and associated equipment for transmitting and recording visual images of events occurring in any place [F6(and includes associated equipment for transmitting and recording sounds relating to such events)].

284 Evidence in relation to fingerprints.S

(1)For the purpose of any criminal proceedings, a certificate purporting to be signed by [F7a person authorised in that behalf by a chief constable] and certifying that [F7relevant physical data (within the meaning of section 18(7A) of this Act) was taken from or provided by] a person designated in the certificate at a time , date and place specified therein shall, subject to subsetion (2) below, be sufficient evidence of the facts contained in the certificate.

[F8(2)A party proposing to rely on subsection (1) above (“the first party”) shall, not less than 14 days before the [F9relevant] diet, serve on any other party to the proceedings a copy of the certificate, and [F10, if that other party serves on the first party, not more than seven days after the date of service of the copy on him, a notice that he does not accept the evidence contained in the certificate, subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to that evidence.]

(2A)Where the first party does not serve a copy of the certificate on any other party as mentioned in subsection (2) above, he shall not be entitled to rely on subsection (1) above as respects that party.]

[F11(2B)In subsection (2) above, “the relevant diet” means—

(a)in the case of proceedings in the High Court, the preliminary hearing;

(b)in any other case, the trial diet.]

(3)A copy certificate or notice served in accordance with subsection (2) above shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal; and a written execution purporting to be signed by the person who served the copy or notice together with, where appropriate, the relevant post office receipt shall be sufficient evidence of such service.