Current as of January 01, 2019 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
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It shall be the duty of the department of health to collect DNA samples, to receive, store, and to perform analysis or to contract for DNA typing analysis with a qualified DNA laboratory that meets the regulations as established by the department of health, to classify and to file the DNA record of identification characteristic profiles of DNA samples submitted under this chapter and to make the information available as provided in this section. Access to the DNA databank shall be for identification analysis only and shall be limited upon a showing of need to duly constituted federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and their servicing forensic DNA laboratories and by court order to the defendant or his or her attorney in a criminal case. The contents of the DNA record of individuals in the state DNA database shall be made available:
(1) To criminal justice agencies or approved DNA forensic laboratories which serve these agencies; or
(2) Upon written or electronic request and in furtherance of an official investigation by a criminal justice agency or its designated forensic laboratory of a criminal offense or offender or suspected offender;
(3) To prosecuting attorneys who are actively involved in a case in which the DNA record of an individual is relevant; to grand juries and courts when such records are subpoenaed; to defense attorneys when the DNA record is relevant to a pending case.
(4) The department of health shall consistent with the provisions of this chapter promulgate regulations governing the methods of obtaining information from the state DNA database and CODIS and procedures for verification of the identity and authority of the requester; and
(5) The department of health may create a separate population database comprised of DNA samples obtained under this chapter after all personal identification is removed. The department of health may share or disseminate the population database with other criminal justice agencies or forensic DNA laboratories that serve to assist the department of health with statistical databases. The population database may be made available to and searched by other agencies participating in the CODIS system.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 12. Criminal Procedure § 12-1.5-11. DNA database exchange - last updated January 01, 2019 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-12-criminal-procedure/ri-gen-laws-sect-12-1-5-11/
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