Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee

HB 1613

Brief Description:  Providing a time limit for the transmittal of unidentified persons information.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero and Schindler; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the county coroner or medical examiner to forward the dental examination records of unidentified human remains to the Washington State Patrol within 30 days of the date the remains are discovered.

Hearing Date:  2/14/01

Staff:  Matthew Zuchetto (786‑7291).

Background: 

When unidentified human remains are found, a county coroner or medical examiner attempts to identify the remains.  If the coroner or medical examiner is unable to identify the remains, a qualified dentist then attempts to identify the remains by way of a dental examination. 

If the human remains are still unidentifiable, the coroner or medical examiner forwards the dental examination records of the unidentified remains to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).  The dental examination records are then entered into the WSP=s dental identification system.

The dental identification system stores the dental examination records and compares the records with other dental records filed by law enforcement authorities of unidentified human remains.

Summary of Bill: 

The dental examination records of unidentified human remains must be forwarded to the WSP for entry into the dental identification system within 30 days of the date the remains are found.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.