House of Delegates
2000 Annual Meeting

Report No. 115

The recommendation was revised and amended to read as follows:

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges federal, state, local and territorial jurisdictions adhere to the following Principles concerning Biological Evidence collected in conjunction with the investigation of a criminal case:

1. All biological evidence should be preserved.

2. All biological evidence should be made available to defendants and convicted persons upon request and, in regard to such evidence, such defendants and convicted persons may seek appropriate relief notwithstanding any other provision of law.

3. All necessary funding to accomplish these principles should be provided.

4. Appropriate scientific and privacy standards should be developed to guide the preservation of biological evidence.