2006 Code of Virginia § 9.1-1101 - Powers and duties of the Department

9.1-1101. Powers and duties of the Department.

A. It shall be the responsibility of the Department to provide forensiclaboratory services upon request of the Superintendent of State Police; theChief Medical Examiner, the Assistant Chief Medical Examiners, and localmedical examiners; any attorney for the Commonwealth; any chief of police,sheriff, or sergeant responsible for law enforcement in the jurisdictionserved by him; any local fire department; or any state agency in any criminalmatter. The Department shall provide such services to any federalinvestigatory agency within available resources.

B. The Department shall:

1. Provide forensic laboratory services to all law-enforcement agenciesthroughout the Commonwealth and provide laboratory services, research, andscientific investigations for agencies of the Commonwealth as needed; and

2. Establish and maintain a DNA testing program in accordance with Article1.1 ( 19.2-310.2 et seq.) of Chapter 18 of Title 19.2 to determineidentification characteristics specific to an individual.

C. The Department shall have the power and duty to:

1. Receive, administer, and expend all funds and other assistance availablefor carrying out the purposes of this chapter;

2. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidentalto the performance of its duties and execution of its powers under thischapter including, but not limited to, contracts with the United States,units of general local government or combinations thereof in Virginia orother states, and with agencies and departments of the Commonwealth; and

3. Perform such other acts as may be necessary or convenient for theeffective performance of its duties.

D. The Director may appoint and employ a deputy director and such otherpersonnel as are needed to carry out the duties and responsibilitiesconferred by this chapter.

(2005, cc. 868, 881; 2006, cc. 327, 551.)