Ind. Code ch. 5-2-27.4

in effect

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-1 Applicability

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to law enforcement investigations or county coroner investigations concerning the following: (1) Homicide (IC 35-42-1). (2) A sex offense (as defined by IC 11-8-8-5.2). (3) High risk missing persons (as defined in IC 5-2-17-1). As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-2 "Advanced DNA testing"

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "advanced DNA testing" includes: (1) DNA forensics; (2) DNA analytics; or (3) genetic genealogy. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-3 "Cold case"

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "cold case" means either: (1) a law enforcement investigation that: (A) has been open for more than five (5) years; and (B) has no pending charges; or (2) a county coroner investigation concerning the identification of unknown victims. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-4 "DNA profile"

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "DNA profile" has the meaning set forth in IC 10-13-6-4. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-5 "Eligible family member"

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "eligible family member" means: (1) an individual related to the victim by blood, half-blood, adoption, marriage, or remarriage, including: (A) a spouse; (B) a parent or stepparent; (C) a child or stepchild; (D) a grandchild or stepgrandchild; (E) a grandparent or stepgrandparent; (F) a brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister; (G) a niece or nephew; (H) an aunt or uncle; (I) a daughter-in-law or son-in-law; (J) a mother-in-law or father-in-law; or (K) a first cousin; or (2) an individual who cohabits or formerly cohabited with the victim. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-6 "Law enforcement agency"

Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "law enforcement agency" has the meaning set forth in IC 35-47-15-2. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-7 "Qualified entity"

Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "qualified entity" means an entity that meets all of the following requirements: (A) The entity: (i) is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and (ii) has as its purpose, in whole or in part, to assist in solving crimes through a partnership between the community and a law enforcement agency. (B) The entity has been in existence for at least five (5) years. (C) The entity has: (i) a certificate of existence on file with the secretary of state; and (ii) a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. (D) The entity has funding, or a demonstrated ability to raise funding, to cover the cost of advanced DNA testing under this chapter. (E) The entity agrees to cover all costs associated with advanced DNA testing without use of state funding, including costs incurred by the state police laboratory in performing advanced DNA testing. (F) The entity has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a law enforcement agency under section 10 of this chapter. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-8 "Testing laboratory"

Sec. 8. As used in this chapter, "testing laboratory" means a laboratory that: (1) conducts advanced DNA testing; and (2) adheres to the standards described in IC 10-13-6-14. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-9 "Victim"

Sec. 9. As used in this chapter, "victim" means: (1) a person who has suffered direct harm as a result of a crime; or (2) a high risk missing person (as defined in IC 5-2-17-1). As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-10 Memorandums of understanding

Sec. 10. (a) A law enforcement agency may enter into a memorandum of understanding with an entity for purposes of funding advanced DNA testing for cold cases under this chapter if the law enforcement agency finds the entity meets all of the requirements under section 8(A) through 8(E) of this chapter. (b) A law enforcement agency may cancel or suspend the memorandum of understanding if the law enforcement agency has reason to believe that the entity no longer meets all of the requirements under section 8(A) through 8(E) of this chapter. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-11 Eligible individuals for advanced DNA testing

Sec. 11. The following individuals may submit a request to a qualified entity to determine eligibility for advanced DNA testing: (1) The victim of a cold case. (2) An eligible family member of a cold case victim. (3) A county coroner. (4) A law enforcement agency that has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a qualified entity. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-12 Eligibility factors

Sec. 12. A qualified entity shall determine eligibility for advanced DNA testing based on the following: (1) The order in which the request is received. (2) The date of the crime. (3) The availability of funds. (4) Any other relevant criteria as determined by the qualified entity. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-13 Notification

Sec. 13. Upon a determination of eligibility under section 12 of this chapter, the qualified entity shall notify the investigating law enforcement agency of the determination of eligibility. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-14 Determination of DNA evidence and testing options

Sec. 14. Upon notice of eligibility under section 13 of this chapter, the investigating law enforcement agency and a testing laboratory shall collaborate to determine: (1) the amount of DNA evidence available for testing; and (2) the most appropriate advanced DNA testing options. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-15 Chain of custody

Sec. 15. A testing laboratory that conducts advanced DNA testing shall collect, preserve, and maintain the appropriate chain of custody of any evidence. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-16 Information concerning DNA profiles

Sec. 16. The investigating law enforcement agency shall transmit any information concerning a DNA profile to the state police department in accordance with IC 10-13-6-14. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 5-2-27.4-17 Transferring DNA evidence to testing labs at law enforcement agency expense

Sec. 17. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a law enforcement agency from transferring DNA evidence to a testing laboratory for advanced DNA testing at the law enforcement agency's own expense. As added by P.L.56-2026, SEC.1.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/5Fetched: 10/17/2026