Texas Government Code 411.144 – Regulation of DNA Laboratories; Penalties
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(a) The director by rule shall establish procedures for a DNA laboratory or criminal justice agency in the collection, preservation, shipment, analysis, and use of a DNA sample for forensic DNA analysis in a manner that permits the exchange of DNA evidence between DNA laboratories and the use of the evidence in a criminal case.
(b) A DNA laboratory or criminal justice agency shall follow the procedures:
(1) established by the director under this section; and
(2) specified by the FBI, including use of comparable test procedures, laboratory equipment, supplies, and computer software.
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 411.144
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) The director may at any reasonable time enter and inspect the premises or audit the records, reports, procedures, or other quality assurance matters of any DNA laboratory that:
(1) provides DNA records to the director under this subchapter; or
(2) conducts forensic analysis.
(d) A DNA laboratory conducting a forensic DNA analysis under this subchapter shall:
(1) forward the DNA record of the analysis to the director at the department’s crime laboratory or another location as required by the director; and
(2) comply with this subchapter and rules adopted under this subchapter.
(e) The director is the Texas liaison for DNA data, records, evidence, and other related matters between:
(1) the FBI; and
(2) a DNA laboratory or a criminal justice agency.
(f) The director may:
(1) conduct DNA analyses; or
(2) contract with a laboratory, state agency, private entity, or institution of higher education for services to perform DNA analyses for the director.