2019 Mississippi Code
Title 45 - Public Safety and Good Order
Chapter 33 - Registration of Sex Offenders
§ 45-33-37. DNA identification system; convicted sex offender to submit biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis
(1) The Mississippi Forensics Laboratory shall develop a plan for and establish a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification system. In implementing the plan, the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory shall purchase the appropriate equipment. The DNA identification system as established herein shall be compatible with that utilized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(2) From and after January 1, 1996, every individual convicted of a sex offense or in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23 shall submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis before release from or transfer to a state correctional facility or county jail or other detention facility.
(3) From and after January 1, 1996, any person having a duty to register under Section 45-33-25 for whom a DNA analysis is not already on file shall submit a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis within five (5) working days after registration.
(4) The Mississippi Forensics Laboratory shall be responsible for the policy management and administration of the state DNA identification record system to support law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies and shall:
(a) Promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section; and
(b) Provide for cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other criminal justice agencies relating to the state’s participation in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) program and the national DNA identification index or in any DNA database designated by the Forensics Laboratory.
(5) A DNA sample obtained in good faith shall be deemed to have been obtained in accordance with the requirements of this section. Any entry into the database which is found to be erroneous shall not prohibit law enforcement officials from the legitimate use of information in the furtherance of a criminal investigation.
