Ariz. Admin. Code § 13-15-101

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R13-15-101 - Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Accredited laboratory" means a laboratory that currently meets ISO 17025 accreditation standards and holds accreditation through a nationally or internationally accrediting organization.

2. "Allele" means one of two or more versions of a gene.

3. "Chromosome" means the structure found in the nucleus of a cell that carries genetic information.

4. "CJIS" means "Criminal Justice Information Services", a division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations which sets law enforcement standards for data security and encryption.

5. "Crime scene sample" means a sample collected from a crime scene believed to contain DNA of value to advance the investigation.

6. "Database" means a repository for convicted offender and arrestee samples to be used in a search against an unknown DNA profile in accordance with A.R.S. § 13-1610.

7. "Department" means the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

8. "Developmental validation" means a method, as outlined in the Quality Assurance Standards, of determining that a Rapid DNA instrument meets generally accepted scientific standards for Rapid DNA analysis. This validation is performed and/or coordinated by the manufacturer of the instrument and must be made publicly available.

9. "Director" means the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

10. "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the hereditary material in humans and other organisms.

11. "DNA profile" means a set of numbers from a series of genetic markers obtained from an individual's DNA.

12. "Gene" means a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to an offspring that determines some characteristic of the offspring.

13. "Heredity" is the passing on of genetic characteristics from one generation to another.

14. "Internal validation" means a method performed by an accredited laboratory, as outlined in the Quality Assurance Standards, of determining that a Rapid DNA instrument meets generally accepted scientific standards for Rapid DNA analysis as used in the Rapid DNA testing program for the agency.

15. "Known reference sample" means a sample of DNA taken directly from an individual.

16. "Ladder" means a representation of the most common alleles present within a locus. The alleles present provide a reference to size the alleles present in the sample being analyzed.

17. "Locus" means the position of a gene on a chromosome.

18. "Negative control" means a quality control measure which is a sample used on the Rapid DNA instrument to detect DNA contamination in the reagents and consumables.

19. "Nucleus" means the center structure of a cell that contains genetic information.

20. "Performance check" means a series of analyses run on a Rapid DNA instrument at a Rapid DNA testing site to determine that the instrument can be put into service for Rapid DNA testing of crime scene and known reference samples.

21. "Positive control" means a known DNA sample processed on the Rapid DNA instrument that provides the expected DNA profile for that sample.

22. "Quality Assurance Standards (QAS)" means quality assurance requirements that are incorporated by reference by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories dated July 1, 2020.

23. "Rapid DNA" means an automated process of developing a DNA profile from a crime scene samples or known reference samples within a compressed period of time, typically under two hours.

24. "Rapid DNA Consultant" means an individual who is a forensic scientist with training and experience in DNA analysis and interpretation; who has successfully completed an agency's Rapid DNA Operator training program; who can perform interpretations on crime scene samples or known reference samples when requested by a Rapid DNA Operator; and who may teach training classes for new Rapid DNA Operators.

25. "Rapid DNA Coordinator" means an employee of the Arizona Department of Public Safety who meets the requirements of a Rapid DNA Consultant and who oversees the operations of the Department's Law Enforcement Rapid DNA Program.

26. "Rapid DNA instrument" means a scientific instrument used to conduct Rapid DNA analysis.

27. "Rapid DNA Operator" means an individual who has successfully completed an agency's Rapid DNA Operator training program and can operate the Rapid DNA instrument specific to their training.

28. "Rapid DNA partner agency site" means a Rapid DNA site that has met all of the requirements for a Rapid DNA testing site and that, additionally, has partnered with the Department to access their Rapid DNA database and receive support from the Rapid DNA Coordinator.

29. "Rapid DNA testing site" means a location at a law enforcement agency in the State of Arizona that meets the specific requirements to support and maintain a Rapid DNA law enforcement program and has been approved to do so by the Department.

30. "Raw data" is data from a Rapid DNA instrument prior to any adjustments that might be made by a software program utilized by the instrument.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R13-15-101

New section made by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 998, effective 7/3/2022.