# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 51 — Forensic Laboratories

### Chapter 06 — Employees

#### Regulation .12 Technical Leader — Qualifications.

*COMAR 10.51.06.12*

A. General. Except for the discipline of Biology-DNA analysis, a technical leader in a discipline or subdiscipline of a forensic laboratory shall:

  (1) Hold an earned baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in:

    (a) Forensic science;

    (b) A natural science such as:

      (i) Chemistry;

      (ii) Physics; or

      (iii) Biology; or

    (c) A subspecialty of a natural science such as:

      (i) Organic chemistry;

      (ii) Biochemistry; or

      (iii) Molecular biology; and

  (2) Have documented post-degree experience in the forensic discipline or subdiscipline in which the individual will be a technical leader, as follows:

    (a) 4 years with a baccalaureate degree;

    (b) 3 years with a master’s degree; or

    (c) 2 years with a doctoral degree.

B. Except for Biology-DNA analysis and forensic toxicology, a director may establish alternate qualifications for a technical leader in a discipline or subdiscipline of a forensic laboratory if the individual:

  (1) Has 9 or more years of documented experience in the forensic discipline or subdiscipline in which the individual will be a technical leader; and

  (2) Is able to demonstrate competency under the laboratory’s competency procedures in the forensic discipline or subdiscipline in which the individual will be a technical leader.

C. Forensic Toxicology. In addition to the requirements set forth in §A of this regulation, a technical leader in the discipline of forensic toxicology shall meet the requirements of and be certified under COMAR 10.10.09.

D. Forensic Biology—DNA Analysis. If a forensic laboratory performs or offers to perform tests in the discipline of forensic DNA analysis, the technical leader shall meet the employee qualifications for a technical leader and be authorized by the licensee to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a technical leader, as set forth in Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, which is incorporated by reference.