GENERAL ORDERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF
GENERAL ORDERS POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES
EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF
BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES
335.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the collection of biological samples from those individuals required to provide samples upon conviction and/or arrest for certain offenses. This policy does not apply to biological samples collected at a crime scene or taken from an individual in conjunction with a criminal investigation, nor does it apply to biological samples collected from those required to register, for example, as sex offenders.
335.2 POLICY
The Police Department will assist, when not being performed by the Center for Advanced Forensic Science (CFAF), in the expeditious collection of required biological samples from arrestees and/or offenders in accordance with the laws of this state and with as little reliance on force as practicable.
335.3 ARRESTEES AND/OR OFFENDERS SUBJECT TO BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE COLLECTION
The following arrestees or offenders must submit a biological sample (Ala. Code § 36-18-25):
(a) Persons arrested for any felony or sexual offense.
(b) Persons convicted of any felony offense.
(c) Persons convicted of an offense under Chapter 6, Title 13A (Offense Involving Danger to the Person), including an attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit such an offense.
335.4 PROCEDURE
When an arrestee and/or an offender is required to provide a biological sample, a trained member shall attempt to obtain the sample in accordance with this policy.
335.4.1 COLLECTION
The following steps should be taken to collect a sample:
(a) Verify that the arrestee or offender is required to provide a sample pursuant to Ala. Code § 36-18-25.
(b) Verify that a biological sample has not been previously collected from the arrestee or offender by querying the Alabama DNA Index System. There is no need to obtain a biological sample if one has been previously obtained.
(c) Use the designated collection kit provided by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) to perform the collection and take steps to avoid cross contamination (Ala. Admin. Code r. 370-2-1-.04).
The individual's identity must be verified by an identification card that contains the individual's photograph or other appropriate means.
Collection of the sample should be witnessed by another member.
(d) Forward the collection kit to ADFS as soon as practicable.
335.5 USE OF FORCE TO OBTAIN SAMPLES
If an arrestee and/or offender refuses to cooperate with the sample collection process, members should attempt to identify the reason for refusal and seek voluntary compliance without resorting to using force. Force will not be used in the collection of samples except as authorized by court order or approval of legal counsel, and only with the approval of a supervisor. Methods to consider when seeking voluntary compliance include contacting:
(a) The individual’s parole or probation officer, when applicable.
(b) The prosecuting attorney to seek additional charges against the individual for failure to comply or to otherwise bring the refusal before a judge.
(c) The judge at the individual’s next court appearance.
(d) The individual’s attorney.
(e) A chaplain.
(f) Another custody facility with additional resources, where the individual can be transferred to better facilitate sample collection.
(g) A supervisor who may be able to authorize custodial disciplinary actions to compel compliance, if any are available.
The supervisor shall review and approve any plan to use force and be present to document the process.
335.5.1 VIDEO RECORDING
A video recording should be made any time force is used to obtain a biological sample. The recording should document all persons participating in the process, in addition to the methods and all force used during the collection. The recording should be part of the investigation file, if any, or otherwise retained in accordance with the established records retention schedule.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.