RS 9:397.3 Admissibility and effect of test results - Louisiana Statutes

§397.3.  Admissibility and effect of test results

A.(1)  A written report of the results of the initial testing, certified by a sworn affidavit by the expert who supervised the tests, shall be filed in the suit record.  The affidavit shall state in substance:

(a)  That the affiant is qualified as an examiner of blood or tissue samples for inherited characteristics, including but not limited to blood and tissue types, to administer the test and shall give the affiant's name, address, telephone number, qualifications, education, and experience.

(b)  How the tested individuals were identified when the samples were obtained.

(c)  Who obtained the samples and how, when, and where the samples were obtained.

(d)  The chain of custody of the samples from the time obtained until the tests were completed.

(e)  The results of the test and the probability of paternity as calculated by an expert based on the test results.

(f)  The procedures performed to obtain the test results.

(2)  A notice that the report has been filed shall be mailed by certified mail to all parties by the clerk of court or shall be served in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure Article 1314.

(3)  A party may challenge the testing procedure within thirty days of the date of receipt or service of the notice.

B.(1)  If the court finds there has been a procedural error in the administration of the tests, the court shall order an additional test made by the same laboratory or expert.

(2)(a)  If there is no timely challenge to the testing procedure or if the court finds there has been no procedural error in the testing procedure, the certified report shall be admitted in evidence at trial as prima facie proof of its contents, provided that the party against whom the report is sought to be used may summon and examine those making the original of the report as witnesses under cross-examination.  The summons for the individual making the original of the report may be served through his employer's agent for service of process listed with the secretary of state or served pursuant to R.S. 13:3201 et seq.

(b)  A certified report of blood or tissue sampling which indicates by a ninety-nine and nine-tenths percentage point threshold probability that the alleged father is the father of the child creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity.

C.  Any additional testing ordered by the court pursuant to this Part shall be proved by the testimony of the expert.

D.  If the court finds that the conclusions of all the experts as disclosed by the reports, based upon the tests, are that the alleged father is not the father of the child, the question of paternity shall be resolved accordingly.  If the experts disagree in their findings or conclusions, the question shall be submitted upon all the evidence.

Acts 1972, No. 521, §5; Acts 1985, No. 38, §1; Acts 1988, No. 298, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1144, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1127, §1.