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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="17-2A-01" title_number="17" title_name="Laboratories" subtitle_number="2A" subtitle_name="Forensic Laboratories">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Forensic analysis” means a medical, chemical,  toxicologic, firearms, or other expert examination or test  performed on physical evidence, including DNA evidence, for the  purpose of determining the connection of the evidence to a  criminal act.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Forensic analysis” includes an examination or test  required by a law enforcement agency, prosecutor, criminal  suspect or defendant, or court.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Forensic analysis” does not include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A test of a specimen of breath or blood to  determine alcohol concentration or controlled dangerous  substance content;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Forensic information technology;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A presumptive test performed at a crime scene;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>A presumptive test performed for the purpose  of determining compliance with a term or condition of community  supervision or parole and conducted by or under contract with a  county department of corrections or the State Department of  Public Safety and Correctional Services; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>An expert examination or test conducted  principally for the purpose of scientific research, medical  practice, civil or administrative litigation, or any other purpose  unrelated to determining the connection of physical evidence to a  criminal act.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>“Forensic information technology” means digital or  electronic evidence that is stored or transmitted electronically.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Forensic laboratory” means a facility, entity, or site that offers or performs forensic analysis.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Forensic laboratory” includes a laboratory owned or operated by the State, a county or municipal corporation in the State, or another governmental entity.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Forensic laboratory” does not include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A forensic laboratory operated by the federal  government; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A laboratory licensed or certified by the  Department of Agriculture.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>“License” means a permit, letter of exception, certificate, or other document issued by the Secretary granting approval or authority to offer or perform forensic laboratory tests, examinations, or analyses in the State.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>“Limited forensic analysis” means a forensic laboratory  test or analysis defined in regulations adopted by the Secretary.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>“Physical evidence” means any object, thing, or substance  relating to a criminal act.</text>
  </level>
</section>
