A. As used in this act:
1. “Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)” means the molecules in all cellular forms that contain genetic information in a patterned chemical structure of each individual; and
2. “DNA Profile” means an analysis of DNA resulting in the identification of an individual’s patterned chemical structure of genetic information.
B. 1. At any hearing prior to trial or at a forfeiture hearing, a report of the findings of a laboratory report from a forensic laboratory operated by this state or any political subdivision thereof, or from a laboratory performing analysis at the request of a forensic laboratory operated by this state or any political subdivision thereof, regarding DNA Profile, which has been made available to the accused by the office of the district attorney at least five (5) days prior to the hearing, when certified as correct by the persons making the report, shall be received as evidence of the facts and findings stated, if relevant and otherwise admissible in evidence. If a report is deemed relevant by the state or the accused, the court shall admit the report without the testimony of the person making the report, unless the court, pursuant to this section, orders the person making the report to appear. If the accused is not served with a report, by the district attorney, at least five (5) days prior to a hearing, the accused may be allowed a continuance of the portion of the hearing to which the report is relevant, to allow at least five (5) days’ preparation subsequent to the furnishing of the report by the district attorney.
2. The court, upon motion of the state or accused, shall order the attendance of any person preparing such a report submitted as evidence in any hearing prior to trial or forfeiture hearing, when it appears there is a substantial likelihood that material evidence not contained in the report may be produced by the testimony of the person having prepared the report. The motion shall be filed and notice given of the hearing on the motion to order the attendance of the person having prepared the report. A hearing shall be held and, if the motion is sustained, an order issued giving not less than five (5) days’ prior notice to the time when the testimony shall be required. If, within five (5) days prior to the hearing or during a hearing, a motion is made pursuant to this subsection requiring a person having prepared a report to testify, the court may hear the report or other evidence but shall continue the hearing until such time notice of the motion and hearing is given to the person having prepared the report, the motion is heard, and, if sustained, testimony ordered can be given.
C. If the state decides to offer evidence of a DNA profile in any trial on the merits, the state shall, at least fifteen (15) days before the criminal proceeding, notify in writing the defendant or the defendant’s attorney and mail, deliver, or make available to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney a copy of any report or statement to be introduced that has not previously been made available to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney pursuant to subsection B of this section.
Added by Laws 1991, c. 227, § 1, emerg. eff. May 23, 1991. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 88, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2009, c. 274, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2009.