---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 3297"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "3297"
heading: "Cases involving DNA evidence"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/3297"
units:
  - "Part II — Criminal Procedure"
  - "Chapter 213 — Limitations"
---

# §3297. Cases involving DNA evidence


In a case in which DNA testing implicates an identified person in the commission of a [felony](/usc/18/3156.md?p=a-3), no statute of limitations that would otherwise preclude prosecution of the [offense](/usc/18/3156.md?p=a-2) shall preclude such prosecution until a period of time following the implication of the person by DNA testing has elapsed that is equal to the otherwise applicable limitation period.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–405, title II, § 204(a), Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2271; amended Pub. L. 109–162, title X, § 1005, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3086.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–162 struck out “except for a felony offense under chapter 109A,” before “no statute of limitations”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 108–405, title II, § 204(c), Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2271, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to the prosecution of any offense committed before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this section [Oct. 30, 2004] if the applicable limitation period has not yet expired.”