ABA Criminal Justice Standards on DNA Evidence

Approved by ABA House of Delegates

• August 2006

Part I: General Provisions

Standard 1.1 Scope of Standards

(a) For purposes of these standards, DNA evidence is biological material from which DNA is or can be extracted.

(b) These Standards are applicable to DNA evidence used for genetic identification in criminal cases.

Standard 1.2 General Principles

(a) Consistent with rights of privacy and due process, DNA evidence should be collected, preserved, tested, and used when it may advance the determination of guilt or innocence.

(b) DNA evidence should be collected, preserved and tested, and the test results interpreted, in a manner designed to ensure the highest degree of accuracy and reliability.

(c) The policies and pro

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