Terms Used In Iowa Code > Chapter 81 - DNA Profiling

• Aggravated misdemeanor: means an offense classified as an aggravated misdemeanor committed by a person eighteen years of age or older on or after July 1, 2014, other than any of the following offenses:
   a. See Iowa Code 81.1
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. ^Source:
• DNA: means deoxyribonucleic acid. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA data bank: means the repository for DNA samples obtained pursuant to section 81. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA database: means the collection of DNA profiles and DNA records. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA profile: means the objective form of the results of DNA analysis performed on a forensic sample or an individual's DNA sample. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA profiling: means the procedure for determining a person's genetic identity or for testing a forensic sample, including analysis that might not result in the establishment of a complete DNA profile. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA record: means the DNA sample and DNA profile, and other records in the DNA database and DNA data bank used to identify a person. See Iowa Code 81.1
• DNA sample: means a biological sample provided by any person required to submit a DNA sample or a DNA sample submitted for any other purpose under section 81. See Iowa Code 81.1
• 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.
• following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
• Forensic sample: means an evidentiary item that potentially contains DNA relevant to a crime. See Iowa Code 81.1
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Keyboard search: means a keyboard search as defined in the national DNA index system operational procedures manual. See Iowa Code 81.1
• person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
• Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
• state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.