Agency 40. Department of Forensic Science
- Preface
VAC AGENCY NO. 40
DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE
AGENCY SUMMARYThe Department of Forensic Science, a nationally accredited laboratory system, is authorized by Chapter 11 (§ 9.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 9.1 and Chapter 1.2 (§ 19.2-11.5 et seq.) and Article 1.1 (§ 19.2-310.2 et seq.) of Chapter 18 of Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia to provide forensic laboratory services in criminal matters; provide advanced training to law-enforcement agencies in the location, collection, and preservation of evidence; maintain and test the accuracy of equipment used to test the blood alcohol content of breath; and maintain a statewide tracking system for physical evidence recovery kits. The department is also authorized to establish and maintain a DNA testing program to receive DNA samples taken pursuant to § 19.2-310.2 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, determine identification characteristics specific to an individual, and store and maintain the resulting identification profiles in a DNA Data Bank.
The Department is authorized by Article 2 (§ 18.2-266 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and Chapter 12 (§ 19.2-183 et seq.) and Article 1.1 (§ 19.2-310.2 et seq.) of Chapter 18 of Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia to (i) prescribe the methods for obtaining information from the DNA Data Bank, (ii) approve field tests for the detection of controlled substances and marijuana, (iii) license persons to administer breath tests, and (iv) prescribe methods and equipment for breath tests.
The Forensic Science Board is authorized by Article 2 (§ 9.1-1109 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia to adopt regulations for all provisions of the Code of Virginia as they relate to the responsibilities of the department.
The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Regulations are available at the department's principal office at 700 North Fifth Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Internet address: dfs.virginia.gov/.Rev. 07/2024
- Chapter 10
- Public Participation Guidelines [Repealed]Read all
- Section 10
- [Repealed]
- Section 20
- [Repealed]
- Section 30
- [Repealed]
- Section 40
- [Repealed]
- Section 50
- [Repealed]
- Section 60
- [Repealed]
- Section 70
- [Repealed]
- Section 80
- [Repealed]
- Section 90
- [Repealed]
- Chapter 11
- Public Participation GuidelinesRead all
- Part I
- Purpose and Definitions
- Section 10
- Purpose
- Section 20
- Definitions
- Part II
- Notification of Interested Persons
- Section 30
- Notification List
- Section 40
- Information to Be Sent to Persons on the Notification List
- Part III
- Public Participation Procedures
- Section 50
- Public Comment
- Section 60
- Petition for Rulemaking
- Section 70
- Appointment of Regulatory Advisory Panel
- Section 80
- Appointment of Negotiated Rulemaking Panel
- Section 90
- Meetings
- Section 100
- Public Hearings on Regulations
- Section 110
- Periodic Review of Regulations
- Chapter 20
- Regulations for Breath Alcohol TestingRead all
- Part I
- Definitions
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Substantial Compliance
- Part II
- Breath Tests Under §§ 18.2-268.9, 29.1-738.2, and 46.2-341.26:9 of the Code of Virginia
- Article 1
- Breath Test Administrative Procedures
- Section 30
- Breath Test Devices
- Section 40
- Storage
- Section 50
- Care
- Section 60
- Modifications
- Section 70
- Use
- Article 2
- Approval of Breath Test Devices
- Section 80
- Approval
- Section 90
- Publishing List of Devices
- Section 100
- Publishing List of Supplies
- Article 3
- Methods of Conducting Breath Tests
- Section 110
- Methods and Procedures
- Article 4
- Licensing Procedures
- Section 120
- Licensing Procedures
- Section 130
- Certificates
- Section 140
- Revocation
- Article 5
- Forms and Records
- Section 150
- Records
- Section 160
- Checklist
- Part III
- Preliminary Breath Tests Under §§ 18.2-267, 29.1-738.1 and 46.2-341.25 of the Code of Virginia
- Section 170
- Preliminary Breath Test Device
- Section 180
- List of Preliminary Devices
- Section 190
- Operational Procedures
- Section 200
- Preventive Maintenance
- FORMS
- Forms (6VAC40-20)
- Chapter 30
- Regulations for the Approval of Field Tests for Detection of DrugsRead all
- Part I
- Definitions
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Part II
- Process for Approval of Field Tests
- Section 20
- Authority for Approval
- Section 30
- Request for Evaluation
- Section 40
- Notice of Decision
- Section 50
- Maintenance of Approved Status
- Section 60
- Publication
- Section 70
- Liability
- Part III
- Fees
- Section 80
- Fees
- Chapter 40
- Regulations for the Implementation of the Law Permitting DNA Analysis Upon Arrest for All Violent Felonies and Certain BurglariesRead all
- Part I
- Definitions and General Provisions
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Substantial Compliance
- Part II
- Qualifying Offense Warrants
- Section 30
- Qualifying Offense Warrants
- Part III
- DNA Data Bank Sample Tracking System
- Section 40
- Use of DNA Data Bank Sample Tracking System
- Section 50
- Screening for Duplicates
- Part IV
- Procedures for Taking Saliva or Tissue Sample
- Section 60
- Collection of Samples
- Section 70
- Buccal Sample Kits
- Section 80
- When Buccal Sample Kits Are Unavailable
- Section 90
- Sealing and Labeling Samples
- Section 100
- Transportation of Samples to the Department
- Part V
- Notification of Final Disposition
- Section 110
- Notification of Final Disposition
- Chapter 50
- Regulations for the Approval of Marijuana Field Tests for Detection of Marijuana Plant MaterialRead all
- Part I
- Definitions
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Part II
- Process for Approval of Field Tests
- Section 20
- Authority for Approval
- Section 30
- Request for Evaluation
- Section 40
- Notice of Decision
- Section 50
- Maintenance of Approved Status
- Section 60
- Publication
- Section 70
- Liability
- Part III
- Fees
- Section 80
- Fees
- Chapter 60
- DNA Data Bank RegulationsRead all
- Section 10
- Definitions
- Section 20
- Request for Information from a Law-Enforcement Officer Regarding Whether an Individual's DNA Profile Is in the DNA Data Bank
- Section 30
- Request for DNA AnalysisInformation
- Section 40
- Requests for DNA Data Bank Information Relating to Out-of-State Forensic Laboratory Examination
- Section 50
- Provision of DNA Data Bank Information to the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Juvenile . . .
- Section 60
- Department Employee Access to the DNA Data Bank
- FORMS
- Forms (6VAC40-60)
