(a) A firearm used in the commission of a crime that comes into the custody of a law enforcement agency in this state may be delivered to the State Crime Laboratory within thirty (30) calendar days for forensic testing for firearms meeting the caliber and type determined by the Director of the State Crime Laboratory.
(b)
(1)
(A) The laboratory may conduct forensic tests on all firearms received and input the resulting data into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
(B) The forensic tests may include without limitation firing of the firearm and electronic imaging of the bullets and casings.
(2) The laboratory shall coordinate with all participating agencies when investigations require the use of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network computer database.
(3) The laboratory shall provide written analysis reports and experts for testimony when feasible.
(4) After completion of the forensic testing, the firearm shall be returned to the law enforcement agency that submitted the firearm for forensic testing.
(5) When the law enforcement agency regains possession of the firearm and after final adjudication, the law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the owner, unless the owner is prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, that the owner may regain possession of the firearm at the offices of the law enforcement agency.
(c) A law enforcement agency in this state may request the assistance of the Division of Arkansas State Police in tracing a firearm.
(d) A firearm seized by the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission for violation of a commission rule is exempt from this section.
(e) The State Crime Laboratory Board may adopt rules for the implementation of this section, including without limitation rules regarding forensic testing of a firearm and procedures for submission of a firearm.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 12 - Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Military Affairs
Subtitle 2 - Law Enforcement Agencies and Programs
Chapter 12 - Crime Reporting and Investigations
Subchapter 3 - State Crime Laboratory
§ 12-12-302. Board created — Members — Meetings
§ 12-12-303. Board's powers and duties generally
§ 12-12-304. Director of the State Crime Laboratory
§ 12-12-305. Housing and equipment — Functions
§ 12-12-306. State Medical Examiner
§ 12-12-307. Medical examiners — Qualifications — Duties
§ 12-12-308. Medical examiners — Professional liability insurance
§ 12-12-309. Utilization of outside personnel
§ 12-12-310. Reimbursement for use of outside faculty
§ 12-12-311. Cooperation by others required — Tort immunity
§ 12-12-312. Records confidential and privileged — Exception — Release
§ 12-12-313. Records as evidence — Analyst's testimony
§ 12-12-314. Fees — Disposition
§ 12-12-315. Notification of certain deaths
§ 12-12-316. Transportation of corpses
§ 12-12-317. Death certificates
§ 12-12-319. Embalming corpse subject to examination, investigation, or autopsy — Penalty
§ 12-12-320. Autopsies — Removal of pituitary gland
§ 12-12-321. Autopsies — Exhumed bodies
§ 12-12-322. Hazardous duty pay
§ 12-12-323. Crime Lab Equipment Fund