<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 29.05.01.11" title_num="29" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Access to DNA Data.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A request by letter for obtaining information from the Statewide DNA Data Base System and CODIS shall be submitted to the Director, from the requesting agency's department head or designee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The letter from the requesting agency shall contain:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The reason for conducting the search;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The type of criminal offense;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The intentions of prosecution;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The authority behind requesting the search;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The details concerning the source of specimens within the “Target DNA” files; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A laboratory point of contact, telephone number, and email address.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An electronic request for obtaining information from the Statewide DNA Data Base System and CODIS may initiate a search, but information may not be released without a formal request.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Director, or designee, shall verify the identity of the agency or person submitting a request for DNA information by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A confirmation telephone call or letter between the agencies; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Requiring a person in authority at the requesting laboratory to sign and return the agreement of interlaboratory search form.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Before announcing a match with DNA information received from the Statewide DNA Data Base System, the requesting laboratory shall, if requested:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submit to the Director or designee:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Duplicates of the final test results;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The laboratory's quality assurance standards; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The allele designations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Conduct a telephone conference call or an electronic exchange of information between laboratory personnel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>After verification by the Director or designee that a match has been made in the Statewide DNA Data Base System and the request complies with the purposes in Regulation .06C of this chapter, the typing results and personal identification information of the DNA profile of an individual in the Statewide DNA Data Base System may be made available, by letter, to the following agencies or persons:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Crime laboratories that serve federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that have been approved by the Director;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A State's attorney's office or other prosecutorial office; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A person participating in a judicial proceeding in which the data base information may be offered as evidence.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The typing results and personal identification information of the DNA profile of an individual in the Statewide DNA Data Base System shall be made available to a defendant or a defendant's counsel on written order of the court in which the case is pending.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A search of the data base shall be conducted to determine the existence of a match to DNA obtained from crime scene evidence taken in relation to the crime for which a defendant is charged if, upon the request of that defendant, a written court order commands the data base search.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>This chapter does not limit a court from ordering any discovery of a DNA record or other related material in a criminal case.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The Director shall maintain a permanent file of all requests received for DNA information and the disposition of each request.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>