(1) Where it appears to a judge of any court that -
(a) criminal proceedings have been instituted or a criminal investigation is taking place, and
(b) identification evidence for the purposes of the proceedings or investigation may be obtained from an authority in a designated state,
the judge may issue a letter (a "letter of request") requesting assistance in obtaining the evidence.
(2) Application for a letter of request may be made by the Director of Public Prosecutions or a person charged in any proceedings that have been instituted.
(3) The letter of request shall be sent to -
(a) the Central Authority for transmission to the appropriate authority, or
(b) in urgent cases, directly to that authority.
(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (3), where proceedings for an offence have been instituted or an offence is being investigated, the Director of Public Prosecutions may issue and transmit a letter of request directly to the appropriate authority.
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