(A) Unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, photographs, electronic imaging, video tapes, or other identification or analysis of a destructive device, explosive, incendiary, poisonous gas, toxic substance, whether chemical, biological, or nuclear material, or detonator identified by a qualified bomb technician or person qualified as a forensic expert in the field of destructive devices is admissible in any civil or criminal trial in lieu of production of the actual destructive device or detonator. Evidence transferred to the clerk of court by a qualified bomb technician for safekeeping must not be destroyed except pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. (B) If a destructive device, explosive, incendiary, poisonous gas, toxic substance, whether chemical, biological, or nuclear material, or detonator that has been rendered inert and safe is introduced into evidence in any criminal or civil trial, the clerk of court may retain custody or transfer custody of the destructive device or detonator to a qualified bomb technician for safekeeping only after the destructive device has been preserved as evidence by photograph, videotape, or or transfer custody of the destructive device or detonator to a qualified bomb technician for safekeeping only after the destructive device has been preserved as evidence by photograph, videotape, or other suitable means of identification. HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 237, Section 6; 2002 Act No. 339, Section 13, eff July 2, 2002.
South Carolina Legal Code