<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>351239</law_id><section_number>19.2-11.9</section_number><catch_line>Lack of compliance with procedures</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="54" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="1.2">Physical Evidence Recovery Kits</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The failure of a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agency</span> to take <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> as provided in this chapter or to submit a <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> within the time period prescribed under this chapter does not alter the authority of the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agency</span> to take <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> or to submit the <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> under this chapter or the authority of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to accept and analyze the <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> or to maintain or upload any developed DNA profiles from the <span class="dictionary">physical evidence recovery kit</span> or <span class="dictionary">trace evidence collection kit</span> into any local, state, or national DNA data bank if eligible as determined by <span class="dictionary">Department</span> procedures and in accordance with state and federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>.</p><p>A person <span class="dictionary">accused</span> or convicted of committing a <span class="dictionary">crime</span> against a sexual <span class="dictionary">assault</span> victim or strangulation victim has no standing to <span class="dictionary">object</span> to any failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter, and the failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter is not grounds for challenging the admissibility of the evidence or setting aside the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> or sentence.</p></section></text><history>2016, cc. 332, 698; 2023, c. 312.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
