IDENTIFICATION AND DETECTION OF CRIMES AND CRIMINALS
Last Amended 7/1/22
21-2501 Fingerprinting of suspects; disposition of fingerprints.
21-2501a Maintenance of records of felony and misdemeanor offenses by law enforcement agencies; reports to bureau of investigation; form.
21-2502 University of Kansas and state departments to assist law enforcement officers and coroners.
21-2503 Fingerprint records admissible in evidence.
21-2504 Attorney general may call upon designated officers for information; forms.
21-2505 Same; nonperformance of duties; penalty.
21-2506 Same; construction of act.
21-2511 Collection of specimens of fingerprints, blood and saliva from certain persons; Kansas bureau of investigation, powers and duties.
21-2512 Forensic DNA testing; limits thereof.
21-2513 (Tentative statute number) Fingerprints; rap back program.
21-2501. Fingerprinting of suspects; disposition of fingerprints.
(a) It is hereby made the duty of every sheriff, police department or countywide law enforcement agency in the state, immediately to cause two sets of fingerprint impressions and one set of palm print impressions to be made of a person who is arrested if the person:
(1) Is wanted for the commission of a felony. On or after July 1, 1993, fingerprints and palm prints shall be taken if the person is wanted for the commission of a felony or a class A or B misdemeanor or assault as defined in K.S.A. 21-3408 and amendments thereto or a violation of a county resolution which would be the equivalent of a class A or B misdemeanor or assault as defined in K.S.A. 21-3408 and amendments thereto under state law;
(2) is believed to be a fugitive from justice;
(3) may be in the possession at the time of arrest of any goods or property reasonably believed to have been stolen by the person;
(4) is in possession of firearms or other concealed weapons, burglary tools, high explosives or other appliances believed to be used solely for criminal purposes;
(5) is wanted for any offense which involves sexual conduct prohibited by law or for violation of K.S.A. 2021 Supp. 21-5701 through 21-5717, and amendments thereto; or
(6) is suspected of being or known to be a habitual criminal or violator of the intoxicating liquor law.
(b) The court shall ensure, upon the offender's first appearance, or in any event before final disposition of a felony or an A or B misdemeanor or a violation of a county resolution which prohibits an act which is prohibited by a class A or B misdemeanor, that the offender has been processed, fingerprinted and palm printed.
(c) Impressions taken pursuant to this section shall be made on the forms provided by the department of justice of the United States or the Kansas bureau of investigation. The sheriff, police department or countywide law enforcement agency shall cause the impressions to be forwarded to the Kansas bureau of investigation at Topeka, Kansas, which shall forward one set of the impressions to the federal bureau of investigation, department of justice, at Washington, D.C. A comprehensive description of the person arrested and such other data and information as to the identification of such person as the department of justice and
bureau of investigation require shall accompany the impressions.
(d) A sheriff, police department or countywide law enforcement agency may take and retain for its own use copies of such impressions of a person specified in subsection (a), together with a comprehensive description and such other data and information as necessary to properly identify such person.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a)(1), this section shall not be construed to include violators of any county resolution or municipal ordinance.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 1; L. 1959, ch. 165, § 1; L. 1969, ch. 183, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 90, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 115, § 4; L. 1992, ch. 239, § 32; L. 1993, ch. 291, § 15; L. 1994, ch. 291, § 20; L. 2007, ch. 145, § 1; L. 2009, ch. 32, § 23, July 1.
21-2501a. Maintenance of records of felony and misdemeanor offenses by law enforcement agencies; reports to bureau of investigation; form.
(a) All law enforcement agencies having responsibility for law enforcement in any political subdivision of this state, on forms approved by the attorney general, shall maintain a permanent record of all felony and misdemeanor offenses reported or known to have been committed within their respective jurisdictions.
(b) All law enforcement agencies having the responsibility of maintaining a permanent record of offenses shall file with the Kansas bureau of investigation, on a form approved by the attorney general, a report on each offense for which a permanent record is required within 72 hours after such offense is reported or known to have been committed.
(c) It is hereby made the duty of every sheriff, police department or countywide law enforcement agency in the state to report within 30 days, on forms approved by the attorney general, any methamphetamine laboratory seizures or dump sites and any theft or attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia that occurs in such agency’s jurisdiction.
History: L. 1969, ch. 183, § 2; L. 1979, ch. 90, § 2; L. 1992, ch. 239, § 33; L. 1993, ch. 291, § 16; L. 1994, ch. 291, § 21; L. 2005, ch. 153, § 9; June 1.
21-2502. University of Kansas and state departments to assist law enforcement officers and coroners.
It shall be the duty of the university of Kansas, the secretary of health and environment, and all other state departments and institutions, free of charge or reward, to cooperate with the law-enforcement officers of the state, and with the coroners, and to render to them such service and assistance relative to microanalysis, handwriting, toxicology, chemistry, photography, medicine, ballistics and all other sciences and matters relating to or that would aid in controlling crime, disease and the detection, apprehension, identification and prosecution of criminals.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 2; L. 1963, ch. 166, § 11; L. 1965, ch. 164, § 16; L. 1975, ch. 462, § 28; July 1.
21-2503. Fingerprint records admissible in evidence.
A photostatic copy of the fingerprint impression of any person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that has been filed and kept according to law, and duly certified as a true and correct copy by the director or other person having charge of such records, shall be admissible in evidence and received in evidence in any subsequent prosecution of that person for the purpose of identification where otherwise competent.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 3; March 16.
21-2504. Attorney general may call upon designated officers for information; forms.
(a) For the purpose of controlling crime and obtaining reliable statistics about crime and criminals, the attorney general may call upon and obtain from the clerks of district courts, sheriffs, police departments and county attorneys all information that said attorney general may deem necessary in ascertaining the true condition of the crime situation; and it shall be the duty of the above-mentioned officers to furnish the information so requested by the attorney general.
(b) The attorney general shall provide, upon request, forms for fingerprint impressions, for the permanent record of offenses, and for the reports of offenses required by K.S.A. 21-2501 and 21-2501a.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 4; L. 1969, ch. 183, § 3; L. 1973, ch. 134, § 25; L. 1976, ch. 156, § 1; Jan. 10, 1977.
21-2505. Same; nonperformance of duties; penalty.
Neglect or refusal of any officer to furnish the information or perform any other act or duty required of the officer under K.S.A. 21-2501, 21-2501a, 21-2502, 21-2503 or 21-2504, and amendments thereto, is a class A nonperson misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, the officer shall forfeit the officer's office.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 5; L. 1995, ch. 184, § 1; Apr. 27.
21-2506. Same; construction of act.
It is hereby declared that this act is for the public safety, peace and welfare of the state, is remedial in nature, shall be construed liberally, and in case any part thereof shall be declared unconstitutional it shall not in any way affect any other part hereof.
History: L. 1931, ch. 178, § 6; March 16.
21-2511. Collection of specimens of fingerprints, blood and saliva from certain persons; Kansas bureau of investigation, powers and duties.
(a) On and after May 2, 1991, any person required to register as an offender pursuant to the Kansas offender registration act, any adult arrested or charged or placed in custody for or charged with the commission of the following offenses, regardless of the sentence imposed, shall be required to submit biological samples authorized by and given to the Kansas bureau of investigation in accordance with the provisions of this section:
(1) Any felony;
(2) subsection (a)(1) of K.S.A. 21-3505, prior to its repeal, or subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) of K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5504, and amendments thereto;
(3) K.S.A. 21-3508, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5513, and amendments thereto, when committed in the presence of a person 16 or more years of age;
(4) K.S.A. 21-4310, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-6412, and amendments thereto;
(5) K.S.A. 21-3424, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5411, and amendments thereto, when the victim is less than 18 years of age;
(6) K.S.A. 21-3507, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5511, and amendments thereto, when one of the parties involved is less than 18 years of age;
(7) subsection (b)(1) of K.S.A. 21-3513 prior to its repeal, when one of the parties involved is less than 18 years of age;
(8) K.S.A. 21-3515, prior to its repeal, when one of the parties involved is less than 18 years of age, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-6421, and amendments thereto, when the offender is less than 18 years of age;
(9) K.S.A. 21-3517, prior to its repeal, or subsection (a) of K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5505, and amendments thereto; or
(10) attempt, conspiracy or criminal solicitation, as defined in K.S.A. 21-3301, 21-3302 or 21-3303, prior to their repeal, or K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5301, 21-5302 or 21-5303, and amendments thereto, of any such offenses provided in this subsection.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Kansas bureau of investigation is authorized to obtain fingerprints and other identifiers for all persons required to submit a sample under the provisions of this section.
(c) Any person required to submit a sample pursuant to subsection (a) shall be required to submit such sample at the same time such person is fingerprinted pursuant to the booking procedure, or as soon as practicable.
(d) Any person convicted as an adult and who was incarcerated on May 2, 1991, for a crime committed prior to May 2, 1991, shall be required to submit a sample prior to final discharge or conditional release at a collection site designated by the Kansas bureau of investigation. Collection of samples shall be conducted by qualified volunteers, contractual personnel or employees designated by the Kansas bureau of investigation.
(e) Prior to taking such samples, the arresting, charging or custodial law enforcement or juvenile justice agency shall search the Kansas criminal history files through the Kansas criminal justice information system to determine if such person’s sample is currently on file with the Kansas bureau of investigation. In the event that it cannot reasonably be established that a sample for such person is on file at the Kansas bureau of investigation, the arresting, charging or custodial law enforcement or juvenile justice agency shall cause a sample to be collected. If such person’s sample is on file with the Kansas bureau of investigation, the law enforcement or juvenile justice agency shall not be required to take the sample.
(f) (1) If a court later determines that there was not probable cause for the arrest, charge or placement in custody, or the charges are otherwise dismissed, and the case is not appealed, the Kansas bureau of investigation, upon petition by such person, shall expunge both the sample and the profile record of such person.
(2) If a conviction against a person who is required to submit such sample is overturned, expunged or a verdict of acquittal with regard to such person is returned, the Kansas bureau of investigation upon petition by such person, shall expunge both the sample and the profile record of such person.
(g) The Kansas bureau of investigation shall provide kits, supplies and instructions necessary for the collection of samples. The collection of samples shall be performed in a medically approved manner. No person assisting in the collection of these samples pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be liable in any civil or criminal action when the act is performed in a reasonable manner according to generally accepted medical practices. Such samples shall be forwarded to the Kansas bureau of investigation and the bureau shall analyze such samples to the extent allowed by funding available for this purpose.
(h) (1) The Samples and profile records shall be maintained by the Kansas bureau of investi-gation. The Kansas bureau of investigation shall establish, implement and maintain a statewide automated DNA databank and DNA database capable of, but not limited to, searching, matching and storing profile records. The DNA database established by this act section shall be compatible with the procedures specified by the federal bureau of investigation’s combined DNA index system. The Kansas bureau of investigation shall participate in the federal bureau of investigation’s combined DNA index system program by sharing data and utilizing compatible test procedures, laboratory equipment, supplies and computer software.
(2) The Profile records obtained pursuant to this act section shall be confidential and shall be released only to authorized criminal justice agencies. Such records shall be used only for law enforcement identification purposes or to assist in the recovery or identification of human remains from disasters or for other humanitarian identification purposes, including, but not limited to, identification of missing persons.
(3) The Kansas bureau of investigation shall be the state central repository for all profile records and samples obtained pursuant to this section. No profile records shall be accepted for admission or comparison unless obtained in substantial compliance with the provisions of this section by an accredited forensic laboratory meeting the national DNA index system guidelines established by the federal bureau of investigation.
(i) (1) The Kansas Bureau of investigation shall promulgate rules and regulations for:
(A) The form and manner of the collection and maintenance of samples and;
(B) a procedure that allows defendants to petition to expunge and destroy the samples and profile record in the event of a dismissal of charges expungement, or acquittal at trial; expungement or overturned conviction; and
(C) any other procedures for the operation of this section.
(2) Such rules and regulations also shall require compliance with national quality assurance standards to ensure that profile records satisfy standards of acceptance of such records into the national DNA index system.
(3) The provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act shall apply to all actions taken pursuant to such rules and regulations.
(j) The Kansas bureau of investigation is authorized to contract with third parties for the purposes of implementing this section. Any other party contracting to carry out the functions of this section shall be subject to the same restrictions and requirements of this section, insofar as applicable, as the bureau, as well as any additional restrictions or requirements imposed by the bureau.
(k) In the event that a person’s sample is lost was not properly obtained pursuant to the provisions of this section or is not adequate for any reason, the person shall provide another sample for analysis.
(l) A sample, or any evidence based upon or derived from such sample, collected by a law enforcement agency or a juvenile justice agency in substantial compliance with the provisions of this section, shall not be excluded as evidence in any criminal proceeding on the basis that such sample was not validly obtained.
(m) Any person who is subject to the requirements of this section, and who, after receiving notification of the requirement to provide a sample, knowingly refuses to provide such sample, shall be guilty of a class A nonperson misdemeanor.
(n) (1) Any person who, by virtue of employment or official position, has possession of, or access to, samples maintained by the Kansas bureau of investigation or profile records maintained by the Kansas bureau of investigation shall not disseminate such samples or records except in strict accordance with applicable laws.
(2) A criminal justice agency shall not request profile records from the Kansas bureau of investigation or another criminal justice agency unless such agency has a legitimate need for such records in accordance with subsection (h)(2).
(3) In addition to any other remedy or penalty authorized by law, any person who knowingly violates or causes a violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a class A nonperson misdemeanor. If such person is employed or licensed by a state or local government agency, a conviction for violation of this subsection shall constitute good cause to terminate such person’s employment or to revoke or suspend such person’s license.
(o) Any person who, without authorization, knowingly obtains samples maintained by the Kansas bureau of investigation or profile records maintained by the Kansas bureau of investigation shall be guilty of a class A nonperson misdemeanor.
(p) As used in this section:
(1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid;
(2) "profile record" means the identifying information of the laboratory and laboratory personnel performing the DNA analysis, the sample identification number and data related to the reliability and maintainability of a DNA profile;
(3) "DNA profile" means a set of DNA identification characteristics that permit the DNA of one person to be distinguishable from the DNA of another person; and
(4) "biological sample" means a body tissue, fluid or other bodily sample, usually a blood or buccal sample, of an individual on which DNA analysis can be carried out.
History: L. 1991, ch. 92, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 143, § 1; L. 1995, ch. 218, § 1; L. 1996, ch. 224, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 156, § 36; L. 1999, ch. 164, § 3; L. 2002, ch. 128, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 11, § 1; L. 2006, ch. 171, § 2; L. 2006, ch. 169, § 93; L. 2007, ch. 145, § 2; L. 2010, ch. 119, § 15; L. 2014, ch. 102, § 1; July 1.
21-2512. Forensic DNA testing; limits thereof.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person in state custody, at any time after conviction for murder in the first degree as defined by K.S.A. 21-3401, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 21-5402, and amendments thereto, or for rape as defined by K.S.A. 21-3502, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 21-5503, and amendments thereto, may petition the court that entered the judgment for forensic DNA testing (deoxyribonucleic acid testing) of any biological material that:
(1) Is related to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in the conviction;
(2) is in the actual or constructive possession of the state; and
(3) was not previously subjected to DNA testing, or can be subjected to retesting with new DNA techniques that provide a reasonable likelihood of more accurate and probative results.
(b) (1) The court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of a petition made under subsection (a) and shall afford the prosecuting attorney an opportunity to respond.
(2) Upon receiving notice of a petition made under subsection (a), the prosecuting attorney shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure that any remaining biological material that was secured in connection with the case is preserved pending the completion of proceedings under this section.
(c) The court shall order DNA testing pursuant to a petition made under subsection (a) upon a determination that testing may produce noncumulative, exculpatory evidence relevant to the claim of the petitioner that the petitioner was wrongfully convicted or sentenced.
(d) The cost of DNA testing ordered under subsection (c) shall be borne by the state or the petitioner, as the court may order in the interests of justice, if it is shown that the petitioner is not indigent and possesses the means to pay.
(e) The court may at any time appoint counsel for an indigent applicant under this section.
(f) (1) Except as provided in subsection (f)(3), if the results of DNA testing conducted under this section are unfavorable to the petitioner, the court:
(A) Shall dismiss the petition; and
(B) in the case of a petitioner who is not indigent, may assess the petitioner for the cost of such testing.
(2) If the results of DNA testing conducted under this section are favorable to the petitioner, and are of such materiality that a reasonable probability exists that the new evidence would result in a different outcome at trial or sentencing, the court shall:
(A) order a hearing, notwithstanding any provision of law that would bar such a hearing; and
(B) enter any order that serves the interests of justice, including, but not limited to, an order:
(i) Vacating and setting aside the judgment;
(ii) discharging the petitioner if the petitioner is in custody;
(iii) resentencing the petitioner; or
(iv) granting a new trial.
(3) If the results of DNA testing conducted under this section are inconclusive, the court may order a hearing to determine whether there is a substantial question of innocence. If the petitioner proves by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a substantial question of innocence, the court shall proceed as provided in subsection (f)(2).
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the circumstances under which a person may obtain DNA testing or other postconviction relief under any other provision of law.
History: L. 2001, ch. 208, § 4; L. 2013, ch. 96, § 1; July 1.
21-2513. (Tentative statute number) Fingerprints; rap back program.
(a) (1) An applicant, employee or volunteer who is subject to a criminal history record check shall provide to the requesting authorized entity written consent to obtain the applicant's, employee's or volunteer's fingerprints to conduct a criminal history record check and participate in the rap back program for the purpose of determining suitability or fitness for a permit, license, employment or volunteer service.
(2) An authorized entity shall notify each applicant, employee or volunteer subject to a criminal history record check:
(A) That fingerprints shall be retained by the Kansas bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation for all current and future purposes and uses authorized for fingerprint submission; and (B) when fingerprints will be enrolled in the rap back program.
(b) Fingerprints and records relating to fingerprints obtained by the Kansas bureau of investigation for a fingerprint-based criminal history record check shall e searched against:
(1) Known criminal fingerprints to determine if a criminal history record exists; and
(2) latent fingerprints entered into the unsolved latent fingerprint file.
(c) (1) A criminal history record check shall only be completed for the purpose for which such check was requested. Any additional record checks shall require the submission of a new set of fingerprints.
(2) An authorized entity enrolled in rap back shall immediately notify the Kansas bureau of investigation when such entity is no longer entitled to receive criminal history record information relating to a particular person enrolled in rap back. The Kansas bureau of investigation shall cancel the enrollment, and updates to criminal history record information shall no longer be provided to such entity.
(d)(1) Fingerprints and records relating to fingerprints acquired by the Kansas bureau of investigation shall be available only to authorized entities entitled to obtain the information. No employee of the Kansas bureau of investigation shall disclose any records of fingerprints or records relating to the fingerprints acquired in the performance of any of the employee's duties under this section to any person not authorized to receive the information pursuant to state or federal law. No person acquiring the records of fingerprints, records relating to fingerprints or any information concerning any individual shall disclose such information to any person who is not authorized to receive such information.
(2) Any intentional disclosure of such information in violation of this section is a class A nonperson misdemeanor.
(e) As used in this section:
(1) "Authorized entity" means an agency or entity with authorization under state or federal law to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history record check;
(2) "criminal history record check" means the submission of fingerprints and demographic information by an authorized entity to the Kansas bureau of investigation for the purpose of receiving criminal history record results; and
(3) "rap back" means the state or federal system that enables an authorized entity to receive ongoing notifications of criminal history record updates for individuals whose fingerprints are enrolled.
L. 2022, ch. 78, § 1; L. 2022, ch. 92, § 1, July 1.