(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “DNA analysis” means the process through which deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in a human biological specimen is analyzed and compared with DNA from another biological specimen for identification purposes.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 38-6-113

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • 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.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The Tennessee bureau of investigation shall develop uniform procedures for the collection and preservation of human biological specimens for DNA analysis in cases of alleged or suspected violations of § 39-13-502, § 39-13-503, § 39-13-504, § 39-13-505, § 39-13-522 or § 39-15-302. Law enforcement agencies and medical personnel who conduct evidentiary examinations shall use the uniform procedures in their investigation of the above offenses.
(c)

(1) The bureau shall adopt uniform procedures to maintain, preserve and analyze human biological specimens for DNA. The bureau shall establish a centralized system to cross-reference data obtained from DNA analysis. The centralized system shall contain convicted felon profiles, forensic unknown profiles, criminal suspect profiles, violent juvenile sexual offender profiles, and missing person profiles. The detention, arrest or conviction of a person based upon a databank match or database information is not invalidated, if it is later determined that the specimens or samples were obtained or placed in the database by mistake.
(2) For purposes of this subsection (c), “violent juvenile sexual offender” means any person adjudicated delinquent for any act that if committed by an adult would constitute a violation of § 39-13-502, § 39-13-503, § 39-13-504, § 39-13-505, § 39-13-522, § 39-13-531 or § 39-15-302.
(d) The bureau shall perform DNA analysis and make data obtained available to law enforcement officials in connection with appropriate criminal investigations in which human biological specimens have been recovered. The bureau shall also make the data available to the district attorney general, and the subject of the data in any subsequent criminal prosecution of the subject.
(e)

(1) Until January 1, 2025, the bureau must provide quarterly updates on the bureau’s efforts to hire and train employees within the forensic services division and the average amount of time taken to perform forensic analysis on evidence in cases involving offenses under title 39, chapter 13, part 5, to the judiciary committee of the senate and the criminal justice committee of the house of representatives.
(2) By January 1, 2025, the bureau must submit a report to the judiciary and finance, ways and means committees of the senate and the criminal justice and finance, ways, and means committees of the house of representatives detailing any additional resources and personnel that would be required in order to perform forensic analysis on evidence in cases involving offenses under title 39, chapter 13, part 5, within sixty (60) days of the bureau’s receipt of the evidence from a law enforcement agency.
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