Provisions of specimens for analysis

(1) In the course of an investigation, whether a person has committed an offence under section 74 or 75, a police officer may, subject to the following provisions of this section and section 78, require him to provide a specimen of blood or urine for a laboratory test. (2) A requirement under this section to provide a specimen of blood can only be made at a police station or at a hospital unless in presence of a registered medical practitioner and unless adequate facilities exist for the taking of such a specimen. 54 (3) If the provision of a specimen is required in pursuance of this section, the question whether it is to be a specimen of blood or a specimen of urine shall be decided by the police officer making the requirement, except that if a registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that for medical reasons a specimen of blood cannot or should not be taken, the specimen shall be a specimen of urine. (4) A specimen of urine shall be provided within one hour of the requirement for its provision being made and after the provision of a previous specimen of urine. (5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide a specimen when required to do so in pursuance of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months or to both, and in addition he shall be disqualified for holding or obtaining a Belize Driving Licence for a period of twelve months from the date of conviction. (6) On requiring any person to provide a specimen in pursuance of this section a police officer shall warn him that a failure to provide it may render him liable to prosecution.