The research shows that only around 30% of strip searches ended in criminal charges, with the majority of these cases (over 80%) being for minor drug possession.
"You can only use a strip search if the circumstances are so serious and urgent to warrant it," Dr Sentas said. "On the face of it, this does not meet the legal criteria... because it's not clear to the ordinary police officer what serious and urgent circumstances are."
Dr Sentas said that the use of police strip searches should be reserved only for 'exceptional' circumstances, such as serious weapon offences and drug supply, or where there is the immediate risk to the safety of a person.
"One of our recommendations is to provide much clearer guidance to police," she explained.
Download the report: Rethinking Strip Searches by NSW Police
