Utah Code 53-10-402. Bureau duties

The bureau shall:

(1)	provide quality, timely, and comprehensive analysis of physical evidence from crime scenes and crime-related incidents submitted by federal, state, county, and municipal criminal justice agencies;

Bureau: means the Bureau of Criminal Identification within the department, created in Section 53-10-201. See Utah Code 53-10-102
Division: means the Criminal Investigations and Technical Services Division created in Section 53-10-103. See Utah Code 53-10-102
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.
Forensic: means dealing with the application of scientific knowledge relating to criminal evidence. See Utah Code 53-10-102
Pathogens: means disease-causing agents. See Utah Code 53-10-102
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(2)	provide expert testimony in courts of law regarding the scientific analysis and conclusion of forensic evidence using the most current and advanced analytical techniques and technology;

(3)	ensure the safety of all laboratory employees against exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious materials, and any other biochemical or toxic hazard which may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of bureau employees;

(4)	protect the chain of incoming evidence by ensuring all items are properly packaged, sealed, marked, stored, and delivered back to the submitting agency using established legal guidelines;

(5)	adopt systems of identification, including blood and firearms analysis, to be used by the division to facilitate law enforcement;

(6)	participate in establishing satellite laboratories in designated locations throughout the state;

(7)	provide assistance to the medical community in establishing guidelines for the proper handling of individuals who are the victims of sexual assault; and

(8)	upon request, provide law enforcement agencies technical and analytical support in the processing of crime scenes.

Enacted by Chapter 263, 1998 General Session