Section 11010.


Latest version.
  • (a) The Department of Justice shall adopt standards and guidelines regarding the handling of potential evidence arising out of the testing of substances that are suspected to be related to activities of terrorists, to be used by laboratories operated by or contracting with the Department of Justice, any state agency, or any local agency, and by any other laboratory in the state the department determines may test any material that may become evidence in a criminal prosecution for any crime committed in the commission of terrorist activities.

    (b) The standards and guidelines adopted pursuant to this section shall include information on issues that may arise in the chain of custody and the employment of controls that are suitable for preserving evidence for use in the prosecution of a crime.

    (c) In developing the standards for adoption pursuant to this section, the Department of Justice shall consult with appropriate laboratories of public agencies used by law enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the State Department of Health Services.

    (d) The Department of Justice shall make the guidelines and standards adopted pursuant to this section available to the appropriate laboratories specified in subdivision (a).

    (e) The provisions of this section shall be accomplished to the extent that funds are available.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 125, Sec. 1. Effective July 9, 2002.)