Ind. Code ch. 35-38-7

in effect

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-1 Applicability of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies only to an offense that is any of the following: (1) Murder. (2) A Class A felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 1 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). (3) A Class B felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 2 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). (4) A Class C felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 3 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). (5) A Level 4 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). (6) A Level 5 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.158-2013, SEC.403.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-2 "DNA" defined

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "DNA" refers to deoxyribonucleic acid. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-3 "Offense" defined

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "offense" means a felony to which a petition under this chapter relates. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-2002, SEC.147.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-4 "Victim" defined

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "victim" means an individual who would be entitled under IC 35-40-5-8 to receive information about a release of the petitioner. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-5 Petition to require testing

Sec. 5. A person who was convicted of and sentenced for an offense may file a written petition with the court that sentenced the petitioner for the offense to require the forensic DNA testing and analysis of any evidence that: (1) is: (A) in the possession or control of a court or the state; or (B) otherwise contained in the Indiana DNA data base established under IC 10-13-6; (2) is related to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in the person's conviction; and (3) may contain biological evidence. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2003, SEC.93.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-6 Notice of petition to prosecuting attorney

Sec. 6. A petitioner must give notice of the petition to the prosecuting attorney for the county where the offense was allegedly committed. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-7 Opportunity to respond to petition

Sec. 7. The court shall give the prosecuting attorney an opportunity to respond to the petition. The court may, in its discretion, order a hearing on the petition. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-8 Prima facie proof required

Sec. 8. After complying with section 7 of this chapter, the court shall determine whether the petitioner has presented prima facie proof of the following: (1) That the evidence sought to be tested is material to identifying the petitioner as: (A) the perpetrator of; or (B) an accomplice to; the offense that resulted in the petitioner's conviction. (2) That a sample of the evidence that the petitioner seeks to subject to DNA testing and analysis is in the possession or control of either: (A) the state or a court; or (B) another person, and, if this clause applies, that a sufficient chain of custody for the evidence exists to suggest that the evidence has not been substituted, tampered with, replaced, contaminated, or degraded in any material aspect. (3) The evidence sought to be tested: (A) was not previously tested; or (B) was tested, but the requested DNA testing and analysis will: (i) provide results that are reasonably more discriminating and probative of the identity of the perpetrator or accomplice; or (ii) have a reasonable probability of contradicting prior test results. (4) A reasonable probability exists that the petitioner would not have: (A) been: (i) prosecuted for; or (ii) convicted of; the offense; or (B) received as severe a sentence for the offense; if exculpatory results had been obtained through the requested DNA testing and analysis. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-9 Order for testing

Sec. 9. If the court makes the findings described in section 8(1), 8(2), 8(3), and 8(4) of this chapter, the court shall order DNA testing and analysis of the evidence. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-10 Method and payment for testing

Sec. 10. If the court orders DNA testing and analysis under section 9 of this chapter, the court shall order the method and responsibility for the payment of any costs associated with the DNA testing and analysis. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-11 Appointment of defense counsel

Sec. 11. The court may appoint defense counsel for the person who was convicted of the offense at any time during any proceedings under this chapter if the person is indigent. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-12 Selection of laboratory

Sec. 12. If the court orders DNA testing and analysis under this chapter, the court shall select a laboratory that meets the quality assurance and proficiency testing standards applicable to laboratories conducting forensic DNA analysis under IC 10-13-6. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2003, SEC.94.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-13 Access to laboratory reports

Sec. 13. (a) If a prosecuting attorney or defense counsel has previously subjected relevant evidence to DNA testing and analysis, the court may order the prosecuting attorney or defense counsel to provide all the parties and the court with access to the laboratory reports that were prepared in connection with the testing and analysis, including underlying data and laboratory notes. (b) If the court orders DNA testing and analysis under this chapter, the court: (1) shall order the production of any laboratory reports that are prepared in connection with the testing and analysis; and (2) may order the production of any underlying data and laboratory notes. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-14 Preservation of biological evidence if a petition for DNA testing is filed; preservation of biological evidence following a vacated conviction

Sec. 14. (a) If a petition for DNA testing and analysis is filed under this chapter: (1) except as provided in IC 35-33-5-5(g), the court shall order the state to preserve during the pendency of the proceeding all evidence in the state's possession or control that could be subjected to DNA testing and analysis for the later of: (A) twenty (20) years from the date of the defendant's conviction; or (B) the period of the defendant's incarceration. (2) the state shall: (A) prepare an inventory of the evidence in the possession or control of the state that could be subjected to DNA testing and analysis; and (B) submit a copy of the inventory to defense counsel and the court; and (3) if evidence is intentionally destroyed after the court orders its preservation, the court may impose appropriate sanctions. (b) In the event that DNA testing and analysis required under this chapter results in a vacated conviction, all biological evidence shall continue to be preserved in accordance with IC 35-33-5-5(g), and for the latest of the following: (1) Twenty (20) years from the date the conviction was vacated. (2) The period of time the defendant is incarcerated for a subsequent conviction. (3) The remainder of the statute of limitations for the offense. However, the obligation to preserve biological evidence does not apply to a DNA sample taken from the defendant whose conviction was vacated. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.89-2022, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-15 Discretionary orders by court; elimination samples

Sec. 15. (a) The court may make any other orders under this chapter that the court considers appropriate, including designating any of the following: (1) The type of DNA testing and analysis to be used. (2) That the DNA testing and analysis satisfies the pertinent evidentiary rules concerning the admission of scientific evidence or testimony in the Indiana Rules of Evidence. (3) The procedures to be followed during the DNA testing and analysis. (4) The preservation of some of the sample for replicating the DNA testing and analysis. (5) Elimination samples from third parties. (b) Elimination samples from a third party shall be required only if: (1) the petitioner has been excluded as the perpetrator or accomplice by DNA testing and analysis; or (2) extraordinary circumstances are shown to require the DNA test and analysis. If the court orders elimination samples from a third party, the court shall offer the third party the choice to provide a sample that can be obtained through the least intrusive method possible. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-16 Notice to victims and third parties

Sec. 16. (a) The prosecuting attorney may provide notification under the procedures of IC 35-40-12 when: (1) the petitioner first files a petition for DNA testing and analysis under this chapter; and (2) the prosecuting attorney knows the name and address of the victim. If the court grants a petition for DNA testing and analysis, the prosecuting attorney shall provide notification if the name and address of the victim are known. A victim shall be notified of the results of the DNA testing and analysis. (b) The name and address of a victim are confidential for purposes of this chapter. (c) Notification of third parties regarding a court order to provide elimination samples shall be through the prosecuting attorney. (d) If a petitioner is exonerated by DNA testing and analysis, the victim shall be notified before the petitioner's release. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-17 Notification of convicted person

Sec. 17. Regardless of whether a petition has been filed under this chapter, if: (1) a prosecuting attorney decides to order forensic DNA testing or analysis that was not previously performed on biological evidence that is related to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in a person's conviction; and (2) the testing will consume the remaining biological evidence; the prosecuting attorney must notify the person of the proposed DNA testing and analysis. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-18 Unfavorable results of postconviction testing

Sec. 18. If the results of the postconviction DNA testing and analysis are not favorable to the person who was convicted of the offense, the court: (1) shall dismiss the person's petition; and (2) may make any further orders that the court determines to be appropriate, including any of the following: (A) An order providing for notification of the parole board or a probation department. (B) An order requesting that the petitioner's sample be added to the Indiana data base established under IC 10-13-6. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-2003, SEC.95.

Ind. Code § 35-38-7-19 Favorable results of postconviction testing

Sec. 19. Notwithstanding any law that would bar a trial as untimely, if the results of postconviction DNA testing and analysis are favorable to the person who was convicted of the offense, the court shall order any of the following: (1) Upon motion of the prosecuting attorney and good cause shown, order retesting of the identified biological material and stay the petitioner's motion for a new trial pending the results of the DNA retesting. (2) Upon joint petition of the prosecuting attorney and the petitioner, order the release of the person. (3) Order a new trial or any other relief as may be appropriate under Indiana law or court rule. As added by P.L.49-2001, SEC.2.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/35Fetched: 10/17/2026