(1) After Article 55 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)) (searches of detained persons) insert-
"55A. Searches and examination to ascertain identity
(1) If an officer of at least the rank of inspector authorises it, a person who is detained in a police station may be searched or examined, or both-
(a) for the purpose of ascertaining whether he has any mark that would tend to identify him as a person involved in the commission of an offence; or
(b) for the purpose of facilitating the ascertainment of his identity.
(2) An officer may only give an authorisation under paragraph (1) for the purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph if-
(a) the appropriate consent to a search or examination that would reveal whether the mark in question exists has been withheld; or
(b) it is not practicable to obtain such consent.
(3) An officer may only give an authorisation under paragraph (1) in a case in which paragraph (2) does not
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