Virginia law clarifies that failure by law enforcement to properly handle or submit evidence kits does not affect their authority or the admissibility of evidence in court. It also states that victims of sexual assault or strangulation cannot object to procedural failures. Additionally, the law addresses the expungement of DNA profiles determined not to be connected to a crime.
The law states that such failure does not affect the agency's authority to handle or submit evidence, nor does it impact the admissibility of evidence in court.
No, victims of sexual assault or strangulation victims do not have standing to object to procedural failures, and these failures do not challenge evidence admissibility.
The Department can expunge a DNA profile if it receives written confirmation that the profile was not connected to any criminal offense.
No, procedural non-compliance with evidence handling does not serve as grounds to challenge the admissibility of evidence or the validity of a conviction.