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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 10.51.06.15" title_num="10" subtitle_num="51" chapter_num="06" heading="Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Toxicology and Trace Evidence Disciplines.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A forensic analyst working in toxicology or trace evidence disciplines of a forensic laboratory shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Possess a baccalaureate or advanced degree in a natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field of science; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have successfully completed a training program in forensic toxicology or forensic analysis of trace evidence, as determined by the laboratory director.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individual whose degree is in a field other than a natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field, may meet the educational requirements, as determined by the director and technical leader, if the individual has:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Successfully completed 12 or more semester or credit hours of course work in biology, physics, or chemistry; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Successfully completed a training program in forensic toxicology, or forensic analysis of trace evidence, as determined by the laboratory director.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Controlled Dangerous Substances. An individual performing forensic laboratory analyses for controlled dangerous substances shall meet the pertinent employee qualifications and certification requirements set forth in COMAR 10.10.09.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Biology Discipline of Forensic Science.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A forensic analyst working in the biology discipline of forensic science shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Possess a baccalaureate or advanced degree in a natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field of science; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have successfully completed a training program in the biology discipline of forensic science, as determined by the laboratory director.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individual whose degree is in a field other than a natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field, may meet the educational requirements, as determined by the director and technical leader, if the individual has:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Taken 12 or more semester or credit hours of course work in biology, physics, or chemistry; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>At least 2 years of training in the category of forensic analysis performed for the identification and evaluation of evidence in criminal matters.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Forensic DNA Analysis. A forensic analyst working in the forensic science discipline of biology who performs a DNA analysis shall meet the FBI standards for performing DNA analysis, as set forth in the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, which is incorporated by reference.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Firearms and Toolmarks Examinations. An individual employed by a licensee to perform examinations of firearms and toolmarks evidence shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Possess a baccalaureate degree in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A biological or physical science;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Criminal justice;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Law enforcement; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A related field; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have successfully completed a training program, as determined by the laboratory director and technical leader, in the fields of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Firearms;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Processing or examination of forensic evidence; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Laboratory testing of materials.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Latent Examinations. An individual who classifies fingerprints or other friction-ridge prints or performs impression examinations shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Possess a high school diploma or equivalent; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have successfully completed a training program, as determined by the laboratory director and technical leader, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>1 year performing duties related to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Law enforcement activities; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Forensic laboratory services; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>1 year performing:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Fingerprint classification; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Latent examinations.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Forensic Analysis Employees — Qualifications for Forensic Document Examiner. An individual employed by a licensee to examine questioned documents or to be a forensic document examiner shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Possess a baccalaureate degree or advanced degree in a natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field of science;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have successfully completed a formal training program in the field of forensic document examination, as determined by the laboratory director; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Have at least 1 year of experience performing forensic analyses for the identification and evaluation of evidence in criminal matters.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>