The Dutch parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to a law under which prosecutors can compel suspected rapists to undergo blood testing.

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"This can then be used to determine whether the suspect is a carrier of [HIV] or of other serious infectious diseases like hepatitis B or C, which can be transferred to a victim in the execution of a crime," a statement from the justice ministry explains. "In this legislation the interests of the victim reign supreme. For the victim a blood test must be done soon after the crime so that preventive drugs can be administered quickly."

Presently, it is the victim's responsibility to seek a court order to compel such testing. The new law takes effect July 1, 2010.