Florida Administrative Code › 69 - DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES › 69D - Division of Criminal Investigations › Chapter 69D-5 - THE ARSON LABORATORY › Section 69D-5.001 - BUREAU OF FORENSIC SERVICES REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Evidence will
				be accepted from public law enforcement agencies and fire service agencies in
				matters related to criminal investigations. Other evidence is permitted to be
				accepted from other public agencies in special circumstances, but must be
				approved by the Bureau Chief. The criteria that will be considered for approval
				are the urgency of the evidence submitted, the use to which the evidence will
				be put after analysis, the importance of the evidence, and any other relevant
				factor bearing on the need for the laboratory to analyze the evidence. The
				Bureau publishes a Guide to the Collection, Packaging, Submission and Analysis
				of Evidence, Form DFS-K1-2127,
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03898
,
				Eff. 09/30/2013, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, that
				provides the minimum requirements for submitting evidence. The guide may be
				obtained by writing to the Bureau of Forensic Services at 38 Academy Drive,
				Havana, Florida 32333 or by accessing the Bureau's website under the Chemical
				Analysis page at
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/BFFEA/ChemicalAnalysis/default.htm
.
(2) The Evidence Submission Form. By
				completely and properly filling out the submission form, Form DFS-L1-1096,
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03897
,
				Revised 04/27/2012, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, the
				investigator is documenting all the information necessary for the laboratory to
				track and process the case. Form DFS-L1-1096 also provides a chain of custody
				for the evidence's receipt and return. This laboratory uses a computerized
				laboratory information management system. Because of this, there are certain
				items of information that are required to properly log the case. The
				information required on the Evidence Submission Form (Form DFS-L1-1096) is
				described within the Guide to the Collection, Packaging, Submission and
				Analysis of Evidence, rev. 09/30/2013. The form itself may be obtained by
				writing to the Bureau or by downloading it from the Bureau's website under the
				Chemical Analysis page,
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/BFFEA/ChemicalAnalysis/default.htm
.
(3) Sample Return - All items of evidence
				shall be returned to the submitting agency or their representative. Agencies
				are requested to provide their third party courier account number to cover the
				costs for return of evidence. Submitters must additionally be aware that
				following testing and identification, there may be some samples which cannot be
				commercially shipped. The submitter has the responsibility to pick up their
				evidence from the Bureau within 60 days of the Bureau's request or their
				submission privileges shall be revoked.
Rulemaking Authority
					 633.104(1) FS.
					 Law Implemented 633.112
					 FS.
New 7-13-03, Formerly 4A-63.001, Amended 4-13-14, Formerly
					  69A-63.001.