(1) When a person is being tried for a capital offense and there is evidence in the case which may be subjected to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing and analysis, the Commonwealth or the defendant may move to have any item of evidence not previously subjected to DNA testing and analysis tested and analyzed.
(2) If the court is satisfied that the item of evidence has not been tested and analyzed, that DNA testing and analysis would yield evidence of probative value, and that the item of evidence has not previously been the subject of DNA testing and analysis or that new DNA testing and analysis would yield a more accurate result, the court shall order DNA testing and analysis of the evidence.

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 422.287

  • Capital offense: A crime punishable by death.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes territories, outlying possessions, and the District of Columbia. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(3) The testing and analysis of the evidence shall be done by the Department of Kentucky State Police laboratory or at another laboratory selected by the Department of Kentucky State Police laboratory.
(4) DNA testing and analysis results shall be made available to both the Commonwealth and the defendant, and either the Commonwealth or the defendant may move that they be admitted at trial.
(5) If the defendant is convicted of any offense for which DNA test and analysis results are required to be maintained by law, the DNA test and analysis results obtained pursuant to this section shall be utilized for that purpose, whether or not the test and analysis results were introduced in the case.
Effective: June 26, 2007
History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 308, effective June 26, 2007. — Created
2002 Ky. Acts ch. 154, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2002.