2016 North Dakota Century Code Title 31 Judicial Proof Chapter 31-13 DNA Analysis
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CHAPTER 31-13
DNA ANALYSIS
31-13-01. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Department" means the department of corrections and rehabilitation.
2.
"DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.
3. "Laboratory" means the state crime laboratory.
31-13-02. DNA testing - Admissibility as evidence.
In any court proceeding, DNA testing is deemed to be a reliable scientific technique, and the
evidence of a DNA profile comparison must be admitted as prima facie evidence to prove or
disprove the identity of any person. This section does not otherwise limit the introduction of any
relevant evidence bearing upon any question at issue before the court. The court, regardless of
the results of the DNA analysis, if any, shall consider other relevant evidence of the identity of
the person as is admissible in evidence.
31-13-03. Individuals to be tested - Costs.
1. An individual eighteen years of age or over who is arrested or summoned to appear
before a magistrate for the commission of a felony shall provide to a law enforcement
officer or correctional personnel at the time of the individual's arrest or appearance or
upon booking into a correctional facility a sample of blood or other body fluids for DNA
law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in the law enforcement
identification databases. If it is determined that the individual's DNA sample is included
in the law enforcement identification databases, an additional sample is not required.
2. The provisions of this subsection apply only if an individual's DNA sample is not
already included in the law enforcement identification databases. The court shall order
any individual convicted on or after August 1, 1995, of any sexual offense or attempted
sexual offense in violation of section 12.1-20-03, 12.1-20-03.1, 12.1-20-04, 12.1-20-05,
or 12.1-20-06, subdivision e or f of subsection 1 of section 12.1-20-07, or section
12.1-20-11 or any other offense when the court finds at sentencing that the individual
engaged in a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact with another individual
during, in the course of, or as a result of, the offense or any individual who is in the
custody of the department after July 31, 1995, as a result of a conviction of one of
these offenses to have a sample of blood or other body fluids taken by the department
for DNA law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement
identification databases. The court shall order any individual convicted after July 31,
2001, of a felony offense contained in chapter 12.1-16, 12.1-17, or 12.1-18, section
12.1-22-01, or chapter 12.1-27.2 or any individual who is in the custody of the
department after July 31, 2001, as a result of a conviction for one of these offenses to
have a sample of blood or other body fluids taken by the department for DNA law
enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in the law enforcement identification
databases. The court shall order an individual convicted after July 31, 2005, of any
felony offense or an individual arrested for the commission of a felony offense after
July 31, 2009, to have a sample of blood or other body fluids taken by the department
for DNA law enforcement identification purposes and inclusion in the law enforcement
identification databases. DNA samples must be collected immediately, but may be
preserved by the department for subsequent analysis upon receipt of sufficient
funding. Any individual convicted after July 31, 1995, who is not sentenced to a term of
confinement, shall provide a sample of blood or other body fluids as a condition of the
sentence or probation at a time and place specified by the sentencing court.
3. If the individual from whom a DNA sample is collected is convicted of a felony offense,
the sentencing court shall assess the cost of the procedure against the individual
being tested. The department shall collect the cost of the procedure from the individual
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being tested and transfer the amount collected to the attorney general for deposit in
the general fund.
If the sentencing court has not ordered an individual to provide a sample of blood or
other body fluids under this section, or if an individual required to provide a sample of
blood or other body fluids under this section has refused to submit a sample of blood
or other body fluids, the sentencing court retains jurisdiction to order the individual,
including an individual whose sentence to incarceration or supervised probation has
expired, to submit a sample of blood or other body fluids for DNA law enforcement
identification purposes, or to order the individual to show cause why the individual
should not be required to submit a sample of blood or other body fluids for DNA law
enforcement identification purposes.
If a sample of blood or body fluids collected under this section does not contain
sufficient material necessary to obtain accurate DNA identification, the crime laboratory
may collect another sample for analysis and inclusion in the law enforcement
identification databases.
The laboratory shall retain DNA samples in accordance with laboratory DNA sample
retention procedures.
For purposes of this section, "conviction" and "convicted" means a plea of guilty or a
finding of guilt by a court or a jury of one of the above-mentioned crimes,
notwithstanding that the court suspended execution of sentence or deferred imposition
of sentence in accordance with subsection 3 or 4 of section 12.1-32-02, or a felony
offense was reduced to a misdemeanor offense in accordance with subsection 9 of
section 12.1-32-02 or section 12.1-32-07.1.
31-13-04. DNA testing - Procedure - Immunity.
Samples of blood or other body fluids for DNA testing may only be obtained in a medically
approved manner by a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, phlebotomist,
medical technologist, or by other qualified personnel approved by the laboratory, and packaged
and submitted in kits approved or provided by the laboratory and in accordance with rules
adopted by the laboratory. No civil or criminal liability may attach to any individual authorized to
draw or obtain a sample of blood or other body fluids from any individual for DNA testing,
provided the sample of blood or other body fluids was drawn or obtained according to sampling
techniques approved by the laboratory.
31-13-05. DNA database established - How utilized.
The laboratory shall establish a centralized database of DNA identification records. The
established system must be compatible with the procedures set forth in the national DNA
identification index to ensure data exchange on a national level. The centralized DNA database
must be used to assist federal, state, and local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies
within and outside the state in the identification or prosecution of criminal offenses. The
laboratory shall receive, analyze, and classify samples in compliance with section 31-13-04 and
shall record the DNA result in a centralized database for identification and statistical purposes.
The laboratory may contract with another laboratory for the analysis and classification of the
samples. A report of the analysis certified by the laboratory is admissible in any court as prima
facie evidence of the facts stated in the report.
31-13-06. Confidentiality of records.
Notwithstanding section 44-04-18, except as necessary for law enforcement purposes, all
records produced from the samples taken as provided in this chapter must be securely stored
and are confidential. However, the records must be available to:
1. Any person who is the subject of a record.
2. A public official or the official's authorized agent who requires that information in
connection with the discharge of the official's official duties.
3. A court whenever the court determines that the information is necessary for the
determination of an issue before the court.
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31-13-07. Removal of DNA profiles from database.
1. An individual whose DNA profile has been included in the database under this chapter
may petition the district court to seal the court record on the grounds that the arrest
that led to the inclusion of the DNA profile has not resulted in a felony charge within
one year; has been resolved by a dismissal, acquittal, or misdemeanor conviction; has
not resulted in a felony conviction; or the conviction on which the authority for including
the DNA profile was based has been reversed or the case dismissed.
2. The laboratory shall expunge all identifiable information in the database pertaining to
the individual and destroy all samples from the individual upon receipt of a certified
order. The detention, arrest, or conviction of an individual based upon database
information is not invalidated if it is later determined that the specimens or samples
were obtained or placed in the database by mistake or if the specimens or samples
should have been expunged. The sealed record may not be opened even by order of
the court.
3. Civil or criminal liability may not attach to any individual or to any state or local
governmental entity for the good-faith inclusion and retention of identifiable information
in the database from a sample of blood or other body fluids which has been legally
obtained.
31-13-08. Rules.
The attorney general shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 28-32 necessary to carry out
provisions of the DNA database identification system. The rules must include procedures for
collection, analysis, and classification of samples of blood and other body fluids, database
system usage and integrity, and methods for contracting with another laboratory for the analysis
and classification of samples.
31-13-09. DNA profiles to be available to law enforcement - Penalty.
Upon payment of a reasonable fee established by the laboratory, the laboratory shall
provide, upon the request of appropriate law enforcement agencies for use for official purposes,
an updated list of names of individuals whose DNA profiles are stored in the database at the
laboratory. Any person who disseminates, receives, or otherwise uses or attempts to use
information in the database, knowing that the dissemination, receipt, or use is for a purpose
other than as authorized by law, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
31-13-10. Tampering with DNA sample testing - Penalty.
An individual who willfully tampers or attempts to tamper with a sample of blood or body
fluids or a collection device or kit to alter the outcome of DNA testing is guilty of a class C felony.
An individual who willfully possesses, distributes, or assists in the use of a device, chemical, or
real or artificial sample of blood or body fluids intended to be used to alter the outcome of DNA
testing is guilty of a class C felony.
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