2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 15 - Criminal Procedure
RS 15:499 - Certificates of analysis
PART XI. EVIDENCE FROM CRIMINALISTICS LABORATORIES
§499. Certificates of analysis
A. All criminalistics laboratories established by laws of this state or by laws of the United States, and all coroners, forensic pathologists, and other persons, partnerships, corporations, and other legal entities practicing in fields of knowledge and expertise in the gathering, examination, and analysis of evidence by scientific means are authorized to make proof of examination and analysis of physical evidence by the certificate of the person making the examination or analysis. Such certificate shall list:
(1) The date and time such evidence was delivered to such facility.
(2) The name of the person making such delivery, and the person receiving same.
(3) A brief description of the evidence.
(4) The type of examination or analysis requested.
(5) The name of the person making the examination or analysis.
(6) The date or dates of the examination or analysis.
(7) The results of the examination or analysis.
B. The certificate shall give the name and address of the facility in which the examination or analysis was made, and shall be signed by the person making the examination or analysis.
C. Criminalistics laboratories are authorized to utilize electronic signatures in order to comply with the provisions of Subsection B of this Section once final review of the certificate of analysis is completed. For purposes of this Section, "electronic signature" shall mean an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
D. All organizations, entities, or persons issuing certificates as set forth in this Section shall retain and provide upon written request all of the following:
(1) A description of each analyst's educational background, training, and experience.
(2) A listing of all accreditations held by the laboratory or individual.
Added by Acts 1976, No. 439, §1; Acts 1986, No. 675, §1; Acts 2004, No. 382, §1; Acts 2010, No. 693, §1; Acts 2012, No. 69, §1.
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