FOIAs

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq.) guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies. General information regarding the rights of requestors and the Department’s responsibilities under FOIA can be found here.

Please note that the Department’s Breath Alcohol Section responds to FOIA requests for breath alcohol records. Additional information regarding those requests can be found here.

To request any other records from the Department of Forensic Science, you may direct your request to Department Counsel, Amy C. Jenkins, who is the Department’s FOIA Officer, designated pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.2. Ms. Jenkins can be reached at

700 North Fifth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: 804.786.2281
Fax: 804.786.6857
Email: amy.jenkins@dfs.virginia.gov

The Department’s case files are “criminal investigative files,” which are exempt from mandatory disclosure under Virginia Code §§ 2.2-3706(B)(1) and 2.2-3706.1(C) and (D).  The Department routinely declines to release to the general public case file documentation under FOIA to avoid interfering with criminal investigations, to protect a defendant’s right to a fair trial, and to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.   There are mandatory disclosure requirements for certain parties under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706.1(D) that are followed by the Department.

Although not released under FOIA, Certificates of Analysis will be provided to the parties pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-1104.  Additionally, parties may obtain case file documentation via subpoena duces tecum or court order.