Opinion ID: 1059274
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Virginia Freedom of Information Act

Text: The trial court discussed the specific provisions of VFOIA concerning criminal investigations or prosecutions in Code § 2.2-3706(F)(1) in its opinion letter, and stated, the Court finds that it would not be in its sound discretion to order re-testing of the Coleman DNA on the basis of the VFOIA. The trial court also held that the newspapers had no standing to make such a request under the VFOIA. The Commonwealth argues that the request for testing of the biological material does not involve a public record. We agree with the Commonwealth. Under the VFOIA, persons have a right to inspect and copy certain public records. Code § 2.2-3704. Public records are defined in Code § 2.2-3701 as all writings and recordings that consist of letters, words or numbers, or their equivalent, set down by handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostatting, photography, magnetic impulse, optical or magneto-optical form, mechanical or electronic recording or other form of data compilation ... prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. Clearly, the biological material recovered on swabs from the vagina of the victim does not meet the test of a public record. Even if it did, the VFOIA allows for inspection and copying, not testing. For the reasons stated we will affirm the judgment of the trial court. Affirmed.