Virginia Administrative Code
Title 6 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS
Agency 40 - DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Forensic Science, formerly a division within the Department of Criminal Justice Services, is authorized to provide forensic laboratory research and scientific services in criminal matters and advanced training to law-enforcement agencies in the collection and preservation of evidence and in breath alcohol testing. It is authorized to establish and maintain a DNA testing program to determine identification characteristics specific to an individual and to store and maintain the resulting identification profiles in a DNA data bank. Code of Virginia, Title 9.1, Chapter 11, Article 2; Title 19.2, Chapter 18, Article 1.1. The department is authorized to (i) prescribe forms setting forth the procedure to obtain an independent analysis of blood samples that have been drawn from persons arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, (ii) approve laboratories for independent blood tests made at the request of accused persons, (iii) license persons to administer breath tests, and (iv) prescribe methods and equipment for breath tests. Code of Virginia, Title 18.2, Chapter 7, Article 2.

The Forensic Science Board is authorized to promulgate regulations for all provisions of the Code of Virginia as they relate to the responsibilities of the department. Code of Virginia, Title 9.1, Chapter 1, Article 1.

The board is authorized to adopt regulations regarding the department's approval of field tests to be conducted by law-enforcement officers for detection of drugs to be used as evidence in a preliminary hearing. Section 19.2-188.1 of the Code of Virginia.

The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Public Safety. Regulations are available at the department's principal office at 700 North Fifth Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Internet address: http://www.dfs.virginia.gov/