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The crisis in Houston deepened with the release of a report from
an independent investigator citing “severe and pervasive problems”
with the serology and DNA profiling work performed in the Houston
Crime Lab over a 15 year period from 1987 until December 2002 when
the DNA section of the Lab was closed.
The report found that analysts in two divisions failed to report
evidence that might have helped criminal suspects, and they made
errors in almost one-third of the cases reviewed in a test sample.
Major issues were identified in 27 DNA cases analyzed by the Crime
Lab in the 1990s and early 2000s including deficiencies in the
cases of three death row inmates.
The investigation did find that certain divisions of the Crime Lab
such as firearms, toxicology and documents examination performed
highly competent work. Michael Bromwich, a former U.S. Department
of Justice inspector general, was contracted by the city of
Houston in February 2005 to conduct the independent investigation.
In other Texas forensic news, only one-third of the state’s crime
labs met the criteria for new accreditation requirements when the
state law went into effect in August 2005. The accreditation
legislation was prompted by reports of deficiencies at the Houston
crime lab. Accreditation can take up to a year to prepare and cost
as much as $50,000 according to the Houston Chronicle.
Of the 18 accredited labs in the state, 13 are operated by the
Texas Department of Public Safety. Without accreditation, the labs
are unable to introduce evidence in criminal trials. 28 labs
remain unaccredited, most of them in rural areas. The Associated
Press reported that at least one private lab closed down because
it could not afford accreditation. Officials are concerned that
the accredited labs, which have their own backlogs, will be forced
to pick up the work load for the other jurisdictions.
Sources:
“HPD
Analysts Avoided Serious Penalty Before,” Houston Chronicle,
January 8, 2006.
“Commission
That is to Monitor State Crime Labs Short by 7,” Houston
Chronicle, January 3, 2006.
“HPD
Lab Probe Details More Lapses,” Houston Chronicle, January 5,
2006.
“Three
More Dubious Cases Found in HPD Lab Probe,” Houston
Chronicle, January 6, 2006.
“Many
Crime Labs Won’t Meet State’s Accreditation Rules,” Associated
Press, August 28, 2005.
Background of the Investigation of the Houston Crime Lab
Reports of the Houston Crime Lab Independent Investigation |
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