Austin Police Chief Shuts Down DNA Lab Amid Concerns Over Testing Methods

AUSTIN, TX -- Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed Friday his department will shut down its DNA lab amid concerns its testing doesn't adhere to state standards, according to a published report.

Acevedo staged an evening press conference in response to a joint news report by the Austin American-Statesman and its news partner, KVUE-TV, alerting to the lab's closure. Its shuttering was prompted after it was determined the lab is not in compliance with state guidelines outlined by the Texas Forensic Science Commission as it relates to DNA testing.

The upshot: Hundreds of DNA samples -- including key evidence in homicides and sexual assaults -- will be transferred to the Texas Department of Public Safety or private labs for testing, delaying pending cases against a backdrop of backlogged county court dockets.

"Consequently, what's going to happen now is that our team will be subjected to additional training, certification, re-certification," Acevedo said during the 15-minute press conference.

He said the APD's DNA lab will be closed for the next four to five months until the unit is up to state-compliant standards.

"Having said that, we are in the process of hiring a news scientist to run our crime lab," Acevedo said. "I've made it real clear to my staff that i want the very best scientist that we can identify here in the state or in the nation to be our next lab director and to actually have a scientist that has been validated here in Texas because at the end of the day, I want to make sure that we are consistent with the standards that we as a state have adopted and standards that are consistent with FBI guidelines."

Stating "I'm not a scientist," Acevedo didn't detail the scope of the police department's shortcomings. But he added a full appraisal will be conducted to ensure DNA analysis has not led to wrongful convictions or case dismissals as a result of their non-compliance with uniform state standards.

"I have been told the probability is low," he said of either scenario. "Having said that I am going to ensure and I think the DA [Rosemary Lehmberg] will ensure that we make it a priority to look at any prior cases to ensure that no innocent person has been convicted and to make sure no wanted criminal has escaped the long arm of justice and the law because of any type of abnormalities or deviation of standard practice or best practices in the profession."

According to its website, the Texas Forensic Science Commission was formed by the Texas Legislature to investigate allegations of professional negligence or misconduct "...that would substantially affect the integrity of the results of a forensic analysis conducted by an accredited laboratory."

In creating the commission, it also tasked it with developing and implementing a reporting system through which accredited laboratories can report professional negligence or misconduct. During his press conference, Acevedo stressed the temporary lab closure was voluntary once its deficiencies were identified.

Watch Acevedo's press conference below:

Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman >>