Opinion ID: 2074934
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to send a blood sample to the state laboratory.

Text: Pinela contends that the failure to send the blood sample of Morales to the state laboratory in compliance with SDCL 34-25-22.1 constitutes reversible error. SDCL 34-25-22.1 provides: The county coroner of each county shall take or cause to be taken blood samples of any person who has died from apparent violence, fire, suicide or motor vehicle, agricultural, or industrial accident. The samples shall be taken as soon as practicable after the death has been discovered and forthwith transmitted to the office of laboratory services. Our decision in State v. Clothier, 381 N.W.2d 253 (S.D.1986), explained that a violation of SDCL 34-25-22.1 does not constitute reversible error per se. A violation of the statute constitutes reversible error only if the defense is prejudiced as a result of the violation. Since Pinela was not prejudiced by the loss of the blood sample, as explained in the preceding section, the statutory violation in this case is not reversible error.