Title 5 — Police, Firefighters, Medical Examiner, and Forensic Sciences.
18 chapters · 391 sections in this title.
D.C. Code § 5-1501.01 Definitions
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For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Board” means the Science Advisory Board established by § 5-1501.11. (2) “Department” means the Department of Forensic Sciences established by § 5-1501.02. (3) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Forensic Sciences. (4…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.02 Establishment of the Department of Forensic Sciences
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(a) There is established as a subordinate agency in the executive branch of the government of the District of Columbia, the Department of Forensic Sciences. (b) The mission of the Department shall be to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science service…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.03 Director; appointment, qualifications, compensation, term
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(a) The Department shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, pursuant to § 1-523.01(a). (b) The Director shall be knowledgeable about forensic science services and experienced in the rigors of scientific analysi…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.04 Duties of the Director
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(a) The Director shall: (1) Be responsible for the management and operation of the Department; (2) Ensure that accreditation is obtained in compliance with § 5-1501.06(d); (3) Ensure that accreditation is maintained in compliance with § 5-1501.06(d); (4) Report to the Board any a…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.05 Personnel
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(a)(1) In addition to a Director, the Department shall have a Deputy Director, and other professional and support personnel as necessary and appropriate to carry out the agency’s mission. (2) The Deputy Director shall have a masters or doctoral degree in an applicable area of sci…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.06 Powers and duties of the Department
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(a) The Department shall provide forensic science services for the District of Columbia, which may include: (1) Forensic alcohol; (2) Computer forensics; (3) Analysis of controlled substances; (4) DNA/biological material analysis; (5) Fingerprint comparison; (6) Firearms and tool…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.07 Impaired driving program; certification and testing of breath alcohol equipment
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(a) The Department shall be responsible for testing and certifying the accuracy of any District instrument utilized by District law enforcement personnel to test the alcohol content of breath. A District breath test instrument shall only be used by District law enforcement person…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.08 Transfer of personnel, records, functions, and authority
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(a) The Mayor shall provide for the orderly transfer to the Department all of the authority, responsibilities, duties, assets, and functions of MPD pertaining to forensic science services, including: (1) Forensic alcohol; (2) Computer forensics; (3) Analysis of controlled substan…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.09 Reexamination by independent experts
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The facilities, equipment, or supplies of the Department shall not be used by an independent expert employed by the accused or his or her attorney for any reexamination of materials previously examined by the Department.
D.C. Code § 5-1501.10 Allegations of negligence, misconduct, or misidentification or other testing error
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(a) Any allegation of professional negligence, misconduct, or misidentification or other testing error that occurs in the provision of forensic science services at the Department shall be: (1) Reported immediately to the Board; and (2) Investigated promptly by the Director, in ac…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.11 Science Advisory Board
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(a) There is established a Science Advisory Board, which shall consist of 9 voting members to be appointed pursuant to § 1-523.01(f), as follows: (1) Five scientists with experience in scientific research and methodology, who have published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, a…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.12 Functions of the Board
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The Board shall: (1) Review all reports of allegations of professional negligence, misconduct, or misidentification or other testing error that occurred in the provision of forensic science services at the Department; (2) Periodically review the program standards and protocols re…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.13 Stakeholder Council
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(a) There is established a Stakeholder Council, which shall consist of the following members: (1) The Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice; (2) The Chief of MPD; (3) The Chief Medical Examiner; (4) The Attorney General; (5) The United States Attorney for the District of Col…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.14 Functions of the Stakeholder Council
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The Stakeholder Council shall: (1) Identify issues or concerns regarding: (A) The Department’s delivery of forensic science services to agencies, including the timeliness of service; and (B) The general effectiveness of the Department in the furtherance of its agency mission; and…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.15 Rules
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(a) The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-501 et seq.], may issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter. (b) The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, an…
D.C. Code § 5-1501.16 Continuity; regulations and rules
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Regulations and rules of any agency, department, administration, board, or commission, the functions of which are transferred by this chapter to the Department, and any Mayor’s order or administrative order not in conflict with this chapter and relating to a function transferred …