{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-187.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-187.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-187.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-187.01.html"}],"law_id":77294,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77294,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.01","catch_line":"Certificate of analysis as evidence of chain of custody of material described therein","history":"1979, c. 364; 1989, c. 458; 1990, cc. 548, 825; 1991, c. 687; 1993, c. 32; 1994, c. 375; 1995, c. 437; 2005, cc. 868, 881; 2011, c. 645; 2015, cc. 75, 126; 2019, cc. 478, 479; 2024, c. 210.","full_text":"A report of analysis duly attested by the person performing such analysis or examination in any laboratory operated by (i) the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, the Department of Forensic Science or any of its regional laboratories, or by any laboratory authorized by such Division or Department to conduct such analysis or examination; (ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (iii) the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (iv) the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; (v) the federal Drug Enforcement Administration; (vi) the United States Postal Service; (vii) the U.S. Secret Service; or (viii) the Forensic Document Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shall be prima facie evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding as to the custody of the material described therein from the time such material is received by an authorized agent of such laboratory until such material is released subsequent to such analysis or examination. Any such certificate of analysis purporting to be signed by any such person shall be admissible as evidence in such hearing or trial without any proof of the seal or signature or of the official character of the person whose name is signed to it. The signature of the person who received the material for the laboratory on the request for laboratory examination form or evidence submission receipt, either by hand or by electronic means, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the person receiving the material was an authorized agent and that such receipt constitutes proper receipt by the laboratory for purposes of this section. For purposes of this section, any laboratory that has entered into a contract with the Department of Forensic Science for the provision of forensic laboratory services shall be deemed authorized by the Department to conduct such analyses or examinations.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":277243,"text":"A report of analysis duly attested by the person performing such analysis or examination in any laboratory operated by (i) the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, the Department of Forensic Science or any of its regional laboratories, or by any laboratory authorized by such Division or Department to conduct such analysis or examination; (ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (iii) the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (iv) the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; (v) the federal Drug Enforcement Administration; (vi) the United States Postal Service; (vii) the U.S. Secret Service; or (viii) the Forensic Document Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shall be prima facie evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding as to the custody of the material described therein from the time such material is received by an authorized agent of such laboratory until such material is released subsequent to such analysis or examination. Any such certificate of analysis purporting to be signed by any such person shall be admissible as evidence in such hearing or trial without any proof of the seal or signature or of the official character of the person whose name is signed to it. The signature of the person who received the material for the laboratory on the request for laboratory examination form or evidence submission receipt, either by hand or by electronic means, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the person receiving the material was an authorized agent and that such receipt constitutes proper receipt by the laboratory for purposes of this section. For purposes of this section, any laboratory that has entered into a contract with the Department of Forensic Science for the provision of forensic laboratory services shall be deemed authorized by the Department to conduct such analyses or examinations.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":16023,"edition_id":1,"name":"Preliminary Hearing","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:04:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:04:10","permalink":{"id":168621,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16023,"identifier":"12","token":"19.2\/12","url":"\/19.2\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76815,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-183","catch_line":"Examination of witnesses; assistance of counsel; evidentiary matters and remedies; power to adjourn case","url":"\/19.2-183\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-183","metadata":false},{"id":73768,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-183.1","catch_line":"Joint preliminary hearings","url":"\/19.2-183.1\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-183.1","metadata":false},{"id":75822,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-184","catch_line":"Witnesses may be separated (Subsection (a) of Supreme Court Rule 2:615 derived in part from this section)","url":"\/19.2-184\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-184","metadata":false},{"id":82925,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-185","catch_line":"Testimony may be reduced to writing and subscribed","url":"\/19.2-185\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-185","metadata":false},{"id":79502,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-186","catch_line":"When accused to be discharged, tried, committed or bailed by judge","url":"\/19.2-186\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-186","metadata":false},{"id":77353,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187","catch_line":"Admission into evidence of certain certificates of analysis","url":"\/19.2-187\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187","metadata":false},{"id":77294,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.01","catch_line":"Certificate of analysis as evidence of chain of custody of material described therein","url":"\/19.2-187.01\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.01","metadata":false},{"id":74057,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.02","catch_line":"Admissibility of written reports or records of blood alcohol tests conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment","url":"\/19.2-187.02\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.02","metadata":false},{"id":73680,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.1","catch_line":"Procedures for notifying accused of certificate of analysis; waiver; continuances","url":"\/19.2-187.1\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.1","metadata":false},{"id":62769,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.2","catch_line":"Procedure for subpoena duces tecum of analysis evidence","url":"\/19.2-187.2\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.2","metadata":false},{"id":84831,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-188","catch_line":"Reports by Chief Medical Examiner received as evidence","url":"\/19.2-188\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-188","metadata":false},{"id":67789,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-188.1","catch_line":"Testimony regarding identification of controlled substances","url":"\/19.2-188.1\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-188.1","metadata":false},{"id":86564,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-188.2","catch_line":"Certificate of surgeon as evidence","url":"\/19.2-188.2\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-188.2","metadata":false},{"id":67819,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-188.3","catch_line":"Admissibility of affidavits by government officials regarding a search of government records (Subdivision (10)(b) of Supreme Court Rule 2:803 derived from this section)","url":"\/19.2-188.3\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-188.3","metadata":false},{"id":75982,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-188.4","catch_line":"Two-way video testimony related to certain forensic medical examinations","url":"\/19.2-188.4\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-188.4","metadata":false},{"id":75244,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-189","catch_line":"Commitment of accused for further examination","url":"\/19.2-189\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-189","metadata":false},{"id":81953,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-190","catch_line":"To whom, and when, examination and recognizance to be certified","url":"\/19.2-190\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-190","metadata":false},{"id":64672,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-190.1","catch_line":"Certification of ancillary misdemeanor offenses","url":"\/19.2-190.1\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-190.1","metadata":false},{"id":77289,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-190.2","catch_line":"Withdrawal of privately retained counsel","url":"\/19.2-190.2\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-190.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77353,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187","catch_line":"Admission into evidence of certain certificates of analysis","url":"\/19.2-187\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74057,"structure_id":16023,"section_number":"19.2-187.02","catch_line":"Admissibility of written reports or records of blood alcohol tests conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment","url":"\/19.2-187.02\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.02","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-187.01\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 364 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1989, chapter 458; in 1990, chapters 548 and 825; in 1991, chapter 687; in 1993, chapter 32; in 1994, chapter 375<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 437<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 868<\/a> and 881<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 645<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 75<\/a> and 126<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 478<\/a> and 479<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 210<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77353,"section_number":"19.2-187","catch_line":"Admission into evidence of certain certificates of analysis","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-187\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":168647,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77294,"identifier":"19.2-187.01","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.01","url":"\/19.2-187.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-187.01\/","token":"19.2\/12\/19.2-187.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certificate of analysis as evidence of chain of custody of material described therein","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-187.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A report of analysis duly attested by the person performing such analysis or examination in any laboratory operated by (i) the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, the Department of Forensic Science or any of its regional laboratories, or by any laboratory authorized by such Division or Department to conduct such analysis or examination; (ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (iii) the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (iv) the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; (v) the federal Drug Enforcement Administration; (vi) the United States Postal Service; (vii) the U.S. Secret Service; or (viii) the Forensic Document Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shall be prima facie evidence<\/span> in a criminal or civil proceeding as to the custody<\/span> of the material<\/span> described therein from the time such material<\/span> is received by an authorized agent of such laboratory until such material<\/span> is released subsequent to such analysis or examination. Any such certificate of analysis purporting to be signed by any such person shall be admissible<\/span> as evidence<\/span> in such hearing<\/span> or trial<\/span> without any proof of the seal or signature or of the official character of the person whose name is signed to it. The signature of the person who received the material<\/span> for the laboratory on the request for laboratory examination form or evidence<\/span> submission receipt, either by hand or by electronic means, shall be deemed prima facie evidence<\/span> that the person receiving the material<\/span> was an authorized agent and that such receipt constitutes proper receipt by the laboratory for purposes of this section. For purposes of this section, any laboratory that has entered into a contract<\/span> with the Department of Forensic Science for the provision of forensic laboratory services shall be deemed authorized by the Department to conduct such analyses or examinations.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS AS EVIDENCE OF CHAIN OF CUSTODY OF MATERIAL DESCRIBED\nTHEREIN (\u00a7 19.2-187.01)\n\nA report of analysis duly attested by the person performing such analysis or\nexamination in any laboratory operated by (i) the Division of Consolidated\nLaboratory Services, the Department of Forensic Science or any of its regional\nlaboratories, or by any laboratory authorized by such Division or Department to\nconduct such analysis or examination; (ii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation;\n(iii) the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (iv) the Naval\nCriminal Investigative Service; (v) the federal Drug Enforcement Administration;\n(vi) the United States Postal Service; (vii) the U.S. Secret Service; or (viii)\nthe Forensic Document Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\nshall be prima facie evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding as to the\ncustody of the material described therein from the time such material is\nreceived by an authorized agent of such laboratory until such material is\nreleased subsequent to such analysis or examination. Any such certificate of\nanalysis purporting to be signed by any such person shall be admissible as\nevidence in such hearing or trial without any proof of the seal or signature or\nof the official character of the person whose name is signed to it. The\nsignature of the person who received the material for the laboratory on the\nrequest for laboratory examination form or evidence submission receipt, either\nby hand or by electronic means, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the\nperson receiving the material was an authorized agent and that such receipt\nconstitutes proper receipt by the laboratory for purposes of this section. For\npurposes of this section, any laboratory that has entered into a contract with\nthe Department of Forensic Science for the provision of forensic laboratory\nservices shall be deemed authorized by the Department to conduct such analyses\nor examinations.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 364; 1989, c. 458; 1990, cc. 548, 825; 1991, c. 687; 1993, c.\n32; 1994, c. 375; 1995, c. 437; 2005, cc. 868, 881; 2011, c. 645; 2015, cc. 75,\n126; 2019, cc. 478, 479; 2024, c. 210.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}