DFS Policy Notices Chronologically
DFS Policy Notices
The Department of Forensic Science periodically disseminates policy notifications to all agencies served. Such notifications can be found below.
Please note that the notices are provided in chronological order. Therefore, the contact information on older notices may be out of date. Please use the Contact Us page for current contact information.
For notices regarding Section Workloads, click here.
Policy Notices
Notice – Utilization of Private Laboratories for DNA Cases – August 1, 2024
Notice – Removal of DNA Typing Results Tables from DFS Certificates of Analysis – July 1, 2024
Notice – Department of Forensic Science Honorarium Policy – June 28, 2024
Notice – New DFS Process for DNA Data Bank Profile Inquiries – June 5, 2024
Notice – Presumptive Field Tests in Virginia – February 17, 2024
Notice – Return of Evidence Relating to the Post‐Conviction DNA Testing Project – July 17, 2023
Notice – Updated Submission Policy for Marijuana, Including Food Products – June 29, 2023
Notice – Next Generation Identification (NGI) Palm Print Database Search Results – June 12, 2023
Notice – Notification of New Regional Laboratory Directors – June 1, 2023
Notice – DFS Field Test Approval – March 16, 2023
Notice – DFS Field Test Approvals – January 30, 2023
Notice – Resumption of DUI/DUID Kit Supply – October 17, 2022
Notice – Impact of Short Supply of Blood Specimen Collection Tubes for DUI/DUID kits – September 14, 2022
Notice – Updated Submission Policy for Cannabis sativa Plant Material – July 1, 2022 (superseded by notice on June 29, 2023)
Notice – Revised Packaging Requirements for submissions of Powdered Substances – June 7, 2022
Notice – Changes to Marijuana Field Test Regulatory Approval and Updated Submission Policy for Cannabis sativa Plant Material – April 12, 2022
Notice – STRmixTM Statistical Capabilities for DNA Mixtures – December 27, 2021
Notice – Implementation of Quantitative Method for THC and Updated Submission Policy for Cannabis sativa Plant Material – August 19, 2021
Notice – New Digital & Multimedia Mobile Device Capabilities – July 20, 2021
Notice – New NIBIN Case Acceptance Policy – June 17, 2021
Notice – New Packaging Requirements for Firearms and Ammunition Submissions – May 6, 2021
Notice – Reported Measurement Uncertainty for Controlled Substances THC Purity Determinations – May 4, 2021
Notice – Impact of Shortage of DNA Testing Supplies on Forensic Biology Case Processing – March 22, 2021
DFS Policy Change – Latent Print Database (AFIS/NGI) Search Results – February 10, 2021
DFS Policy Change – Locations Used in Automatic NIBIN Searching -December 7, 2020
DFS Policy Change – Reinstitution of the DFS Policy Requiring a Court Order for Analysis in Simple Possession of Marijuana Cases – June 23, 2020
DFS Policy Change – Use of Paint Cans for Trace Evidence Submissions (Fire Debris/Ignitable Liquid Analysis) – June 10, 2020
DFS Policy Change – Implementation of Semi-Quantitative Method for Cannabis sativa Plant Material and Rescission of DFS Policy Requiring Court Order for Analysis in Simple Possession of Marijuana Cases – January 24, 2020 (Updated on June 23, 2020)
DFS Policy Change – Revised Procedure for Methamphetamine Purity Determinations – January 6, 2020
DFS Policy Change – Resubmission of Latent Prints for Continued NGI Searching From Pre-2013 Unsolved Cases – November 5, 2019
DFS Policy Change – NIBIN Potential Association Notification – March 11, 2019
DFS Policy Change – Automated Results for Digital & Multimedia Examinations – March 11, 2019
DFS Policy Change – Administrative Sampling Plan for NIBIN Searches – October 15, 2018
Notice of DFS Temporary Closure – September 11, 2018
DFS Revised – Expanded NIBIN Search Areas, Changes to Toolmark and Distance Determination Submission Policies – April 2, 2018
DFS Revised Controlled Substances Submission and Weighing Policies – December 1, 2017
DFS Policy Notice – “Trace” DNA Submission Policy Revised – June 9, 2017
Notes: “Trace” DNA was previously referred to as “Touch” DNA.
DFS Policy Notice – Triaging of Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) Testing to Expedite Analysis – March 29, 2017
DFS Policy Change – New DUI Law and Corresponding Revisions to Process for Handling Blood Samples in Search Warrant DUI Cases – March 16, 2017
Revisions to Collection Time Periods for Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) Samples – effective September 16, 2016
DFS Policy Change – Revised Reporting Practices for Previously Unidentified Latent Prints with Subsequent Potential Identification through AFIS – effective June 15, 2016
DFS Policy Change – DUI/DUID Testing Protocol for Blood Samples in Implied Consent Cases – effective May 31, 2016
DFS Policy Change – NIBIN Association Reporting – effective July 9, 2015
Service Restoration Notices
Restoration of Trace Evidence Services in Explosives and Primer Residue (Gun Shot Residue) – effective July 1, 2016
Restoration of Video Analysis Services – effective June 23, 2015
Service Reduction Notices
Elimination of Questioned Documents Services – effective October 14, 2016
Reduction of Trace Evidence Services – effective November 5, 2014 (services partially restored on July 1, 2016)
Reduction of Forensic Photography Services – effective November 4, 2014
Reduction of Digital and Multimedia Evidence Services – effective November 4, 2014 (services partially restored on June 23, 2015)
Evidence Submission Policies
Revised Marijuana Submission Policy – dated October 22, 2014, rescinded by policy above dated January 24, 2020
Submission Policy for Safe Packaging of Syringes – effective April 17, 2013
Submission Policy for Familial DNA Searching – effective March 9, 2011
Submission Policy for Drug Residues – effective July 1, 2005