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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Post-trial Consequences of DNA Testing

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The defendant needs to know the following information:

  • Except in cases in which DNA is obtained by limited consent (See Module 10), or if database law restrictions apply, DNA lawfully obtained by police may be used in future investigations and/or to examine past crimes.
  • If the defendant elects to plead guilty (or is convicted), he or she may be compelled to provide DNA to a database, and that DNA sample is thereafter available for future investigations and/or to examine past crimes.
  • If the defendant is not convicted of a qualifying crime, he or she may be entitled to have DNA samples or test results expunged.

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