Title 34, NavyRelease 119-110
§40728 Establishment of Best Practices for Evidence Retention
Title 34 › Subtitle IV — Criminal Records and Information › CHAPTER 407 — DNA IDENTIFICATION › SUBCHAPTER II — TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND EXPANDED USE › § 40728
Summary
The Director of the National Institute of Justice must create best practices for keeping and protecting forensic evidence. The Director must work with federal, State, and local law enforcement and government labs, and must help State, local, and tribal governments adopt and use those practices. The practices must be published by December 16, 2017, and no agency is required to follow them.
Full Legal Text
Title 34, §40728
Navy, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
The Director of the National Institute of Justice, in consultation with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and government laboratories, shall—
(1)establish best practices for evidence retention to focus on the preservation of forensic evidence; and
(2)assist State, local, and tribal governments in adopting and implementing the best practices established under paragraph (1).
(b)Deadline
Not later than 1 year after December 16, 2016, the Director of the National Institute of Justice shall publish the best practices established under subsection (a)(1).
(c)Limitation
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or obligate compliance with the best practices established under subsection (a)(1).
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 14136f of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
34 U.S.C. § 40728
Title 34, Navy
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110