Ala. Code
Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 36-18-25 (2026)

Collection of Dna Samples from Convicted Persons.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, laws through the 2026 Regular Session
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(a) All persons convicted of a criminal offense as set out in Section 36-18-24 shall, when requested by the director submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as may be specified by the director, provided, however, the director shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purposes of ensuring that DNA samples are collected in a medically approved manner.

(b) As of May 6, 1994, all persons serving any sentence of probation for any of the offenses set out in Section 36-18-24 shall, when requested by the director, submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as specified by the director. Upon the refusal of any such person to so submit the sentencing court shall order such submission as a mandatory condition of probation.

(c)(1) All persons arrested for any felony offense on or after October 1, 2010, or for any sexual offense including, but not limited to, those that would require registration pursuant to the Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act, commencing with Section 15-20A-1, of Chapter 20A, Title 15, or the former Community Notification Act, Article 2, of Chapter 20 of Title 15, on or after October 1, 2010, shall have a DNA sample drawn or taken, as specified by the director, at the same time he or she is fingerprinted pursuant to the booking procedure or at the time of arrest.

(2) For purposes of this chapter, a juvenile who is arrested for an offense covered by this chapter or adjudicated delinquent for the commission of a felony-grade delinquent act shall be considered a person who is arrested for a felony or other specified offense.

(3) If it is determined that the person’s DNA sample has been included in the DNA database, and has not been subject to a court’s order expunging the record from the DNA database, no additional sample is required.

(d) As of May 6, 1994, all persons convicted of any of the offenses set out in Section 36-18-24 shall be ordered to submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as specified by the director as a mandatory condition of any term of probation or suspended sentence which may be imposed by the sentencing court.

(e) As of May 6, 1994, all persons convicted for any offense set out in Section 36-18-24 and under any sentence of confinement to any incarceration facility, shall, when requested by the director, submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as specified by the director. Upon the refusal of any such person to so submit, the custodian of the incarceration facility shall require such submission as a mandatory condition of any temporary, partial, or limited release, including, but not limited to, work release, furlough, or other incentive release.

(f) As of May 6, 1994, all persons convicted of any of the offenses set out in Section 36-18-24, shall be ordered by the sentencing court to submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as may be specified by the director as part of the sentence to be imposed.

(g) As of May 6, 1994, all persons convicted for any offense set out in Section 36-18-24 who may be eligible for consideration by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles for either a pardon or parole shall be ordered by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to submit to the taking of a DNA sample or samples as may be specified by the director, as a mandatory condition of the pardon or parole.

(h) Nothing in this article shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees, or political subdivisions based on the performance of any duty imposed by this article or the failure to perform any duty imposed by this article.

(i) A DNA sample obtained in good faith shall be deemed to have been obtained in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and its use in accordance with this chapter is authorized until the circuit court in which an individual was convicted or, in a case where the DNA sample was collected pursuant to a felony or sexual offense arrest, the circuit court where the individual was arrested, orders that the DNA sample should be expunged.

(j) DNA records and DNA samples submitted to the Department of Forensic Sciences may only be released for one of the following authorized purposes:

(1) For law enforcement identification purposes, including the identification of human remains, to federal, state, or local criminal justice agencies.

(2) For criminal defense and appeal purposes, to a defendant, who shall have access to samples and analyses performed in connection with the case in which the defendant is charged or was convicted.

(3) If personally identifiable information is removed for forensic validation studies, forensic protocol development, or quality control purposes.

(Acts 1994, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 94-804, p. 109, §6; Act 2009-768, p. 2355, §2; Act 2015-185, §5; Act 2015-463, §1.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: D.B. v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003).
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D.B. v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. “ ‘[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived “right of refusal.”
DB v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. "`[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived "right of refusal.”
Bennett v. State, 754 So. 2d 637 (Ala. Crim. App. 1999). “” In addition, § 36-18-25, Ala.Code 1975, provides that submission to the taking of a DNA sample may be a “mandatory condition” of release, parole, or probation.”
James Lee Ware v. State of Alabama., 181 So. 3d 380 (Ala. Crim. App. 2011). “See § 36-18-25, Ala.Code 1975. 7. The Marian statutes were created in England in 1554-1555 by Queen Mary.”
Foster v. Duerr (INMATE 1), No. 2:21-cv-00302 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 24, 2024). · cites it 5× “Importantly, § 36-18-25(h) provides that “[n]othing in this article shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees, or political subdivisions based on the performance of any duty imposed by this article or the…”
Ala. Code § 36-18-25(a): 2 cases
D.B. v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. “ ‘[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived “right of refusal.”
DB v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. "`[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived "right of refusal.”
Ala. Code § 36-18-25(b): 2 cases
D.B. v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. “ ‘[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived “right of refusal.”
DB v. State, 861 So. 2d 4 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Sergeant Sorrells requested that the director order [Hammonds] to submit to a DNA test as provided by § 36-18-25 of the statute. "`[Hammonds] places great emphasis on a perceived "right of refusal.”
Ala. Code § 36-18-25(h): 1 case
Foster v. Duerr (INMATE 1), No. 2:21-cv-00302 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 24, 2024). “Importantly, § 36-18-25(h) provides that “[n]othing in this article shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees, or political subdivisions based on the performance of any duty imposed by this article or the…”
Ala. Code § 36-18-25(j): 1 case
Foster v. Duerr (INMATE 1), No. 2:21-cv-00302 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 24, 2024). “Importantly, § 36-18-25(h) provides that “[n]othing in this article shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees, or political subdivisions based on the performance of any duty imposed by this article or the…”
Ala. Code § 36-18-25(j)(2): 1 case
Foster v. Duerr (INMATE 1), No. 2:21-cv-00302 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 24, 2024). “Importantly, § 36-18-25(h) provides that “[n]othing in this article shall be construed as creating a cause of action against the state or any of its agencies, officials, employees, or political subdivisions based on the performance of any duty imposed by this article or the…”
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