---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 1565a"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "1565a"
heading: "DNA samples maintained for identification of human remains: use for law enforcement purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/1565a"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 80 — Miscellaneous Investigation Requirements and Other Duties"
---

# §1565a. DNA samples maintained for identification of human remains: use for law enforcement purposes

- (a) **Compliance with Court Order.—**
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#a-2), if a valid order of a Federal court (or [military judge](/usc/10/801.md?p=10)) so requires, an element of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense that maintains a repository of DNA samples for the purpose of identification of human remains shall make available, for the purpose specified in [subsection (b)](#b), such DNA samples on such terms and conditions as such court (or [military judge](/usc/10/801.md?p=10)) directs.
  - (2) A DNA sample with respect to an individual shall be provided under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) in a manner that does not compromise the ability of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense to maintain a sample with respect to that individual for the purpose of identification of human remains.
- (b) **Covered Purpose.—** The purpose referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) is the purpose of an investigation or prosecution of a felony, or any sexual offense, for which no other source of DNA information is reasonably available.
- (c) **Definition.—** In this section, the term “DNA sample” has the meaning given such term in [section 1565(c) of this title](/usc/10/1565.md?p=c).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1063(a), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2653.)