Forensic Science Division

Support Bureau
Goal Accomplishments
Dec-18 		Accomplishments
Jan-19 		Accomplishments
Feb-19 		Division / Unit / Section Responsible Party - Lead Funding Status
AB1-SB Increase staffing to two additional Chemists, one additional Forensic Scientist/Biology, one Forensic Scientist/DNA, one Biology Technician/Admin, one Firearm Technician, and one Forensic Scientist Firearm and Toolmark position to provide timely delivery of results and maintain manageable backlogs.

Implementation expected FY22. Awaiting funding.

Implementation expected FY22. Awaiting funding.

Implementation expected FY22. Awaiting funding.
  • Forensic Science Division (AB)
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  • Investigative & Support Command Deputy Chief
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  • Funding Needed
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    AB2-SB Provide training and development of employees annually to become eligible for and to maintain licensure.

    We had 15 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of December. The Crime Laboratory has met with budget and grant personnel; funding was located on the 2016 JAG Grant to fund training for FY19.  The funding is currently available, and the Crime Laboratory has begun to schedule training venues in 2019 utilizing the 2016 JAG Grant funds.

    We had 11 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of January. The Crime Laboratory has already sent some personnel to different training venues and has begun to schedule other training venues for later in the year.

    We had 7 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of February.

    The Crime Laboratory has already sent some personnel to different training venues and has begun to schedule other training venues for later in the year.

  • Forensic Science Division (AB)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AB3-SB Acquire new and replacement equipment, technology and software annually in order to become more efficient and to stay on the cutting edge of forensic science.

    The DANI instrument has been returned to the vendor, DANI refunded the cost of the equipment to the City, and the DOJ has given us permission to apply the refunded money to the purchase of new equipment.   The City has submitted an invitation to bid on a GC-FID-MS & on a GC-FID.  Both of these instruments will be for BAC analysis.  The GC-FID-MS will be paid for with funds from the 2016 JAG Grant.  The GC-FID will be paid for with the refunded money from DANI, money from the 2016 JAG Grant and from the Crime Laboratory’s existing budget.

     We are also currently in the process of purchasing a remote firing cart, three Hydrogen Generators, a Mideo training system and a new digital camera to replace an old digital camera on a comparison microscope.

     The Crime Laboratory is actively acquiring new and replacement equipment, technology and software in order to become more efficient and to stay on the cutting edge of forensic science. 

     

    On track for purchasing new equipment and software this FY.  There has been a delay in acquiring the BAC equipment.

    On track for purchasing new equipment and software this FY.  There has been a delay in acquiring the BAC equipment.
  • Forensic Science Division (AB)
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  • Investigative & Support Command Deputy Chief
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  • Funding Needed
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    AB4-SB Develop and submit a plan to use new personnel, equipment, and technology to expand the scope of services provided by the Crime Lab.

    The Crime Laboratory is still scheduled to receive grant funding that will allow us to begin the process of validating Y-screening for sexual assault kit examinations.  We will also receive grant funding to validate STRMIX (probabilistic genotyping).  These are both new services.         

    The Crime Laboratory has grant funding that will allow us to begin the process of validating Y-screening for sexual assault kit examinations this calendar year.  We also have grant funding to validate STRMIX (probabilistic genotyping); however, because of new software updates that will be necessary for this project, and while awaiting additional guidance from the Texas Forensic Science Commission regarding STRMIX (probabilistic genotyping), this project will be pushed back to the end of this calendar year or the beginning of the next calendar year.          

    The Crime Laboratory has grant funding that will allow us to begin the process of validating Y-screening for sexual assault kit examinations this calendar year.  We also have grant funding to validate STRMIX (probabilistic genotyping); however, because of new software updates that will be necessary for this project, and while awaiting additional guidance from the Texas Forensic Science Commission regarding STRMIX (probabilistic genotyping), this project will be pushed back to the end of this calendar year or the beginning of the next calendar year.          
  • Forensic Science Division (AB)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AB5-SB Explore a possible revenue stream by marketing and providing laboratory services to smaller agencies.

    The Crime Laboratory does not currently have the personnel resources to permit us to in-source cases.  Any additional casework that we take on without the addition of new personnel, will increase the Laboratory’s turnaround time.  We have approved Needs Requests for additional personnel; however, no funding for the positions have been found.  This objective shows that funding would be needed to complete.  If we in-sourced cases without adding personnel, the Crime Laboratory’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround times.

    The Crime Laboratory does not currently have the personnel resources to permit us to insource cases.  Any additional casework that we take on without the addition of new personnel, will increase the Laboratory’s turnaround time.  We have approved Needs Requests for additional personnel; however, no funding for the positions have been found.  This objective shows that funding would be needed to complete.  If we insourced cases without adding personnel, the Crime Laboratory’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround times.

    The Crime Laboratory does not currently have the personnel resources to permit us to insource cases.  Any additional casework that we take on without the addition of new personnel, will increase the Laboratory’s turnaround time.  We have approved Needs Requests for additional personnel; however, no funding for the positions have been found.  This objective shows that funding would be needed to complete.  If we insourced cases without adding personnel, the Crime Laboratory’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround times.
  • Forensic Science Division (AB)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AC1-SB Reduce turnaround time for routine cases to 30 days and rush cases to a maximum of two weeks.

    November 29 to Dec 31 stats:

     414 cases in queue

    86 cases total reported

    172 CS cases completed

    0 BAC cases completed (all BAC outsourced due to instrument broken)  


    64 rush cases 

    100% RUSH cases < 14days

    99% cases <30 days  

    100% cases < 60days          

     Average 5 days to complete    

    January 1 to January 29 status:

    419 cases in queue

    177 CS cases completed and reported

    0 BAC cases completed (all BAC’s outsourced due to instrument being broken) 

    71 rush cases

    100% rush cases < 14 days

    100% cases < 30 days   

    Average 3.5 days to complete     

    January 30 to February 26 stats:

    44 cases in queue* 253 CS cases completed and reported O BAC cases (all BAC outsourced due to instrument being broken)  

    88 rush cases

    100% rush cases < 14 days

    100% cases < 30 days

     Average 5.1 days to complete case

    *Terminated from Unit queue, 362 possible marihuana misdemeanor cases, if case is needed at later date, investigator can make a request.

  • Chemistry Unit (AC)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • No Funding Needed
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    AC2-SB Chemists will receive the required training and development licensure.

    Seven (7) analysts completed the CJIS Security and Awareness Training.  One (1) analyst attended the Agilent Technologies presentation on GC-LC-MS technologies.

    No Chemists received training in January.

    Forensic Supervisor Elizabeth Van attended the AAFS Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.      
  • Chemistry Unit (AC)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AC3-SB Acquire new and replacement instrumentation, technology and software as needed and in a timely manner.

    The Laboratory is currently working through the procurement process in order to purchase one (1) GC-FID-MS instrument that will be used for BAC examinations, and one (1) GC-FID instrument that will be used as a backup for the new GC-FID-MS.  The long term plan is to secure funding to be able to add a MS component to the GC-FID so that we will have two identical instruments that can be used for BAC analyses.  Because our current BAC instrument is broken, we are outsourcing all of our BAC cases.  It is our long term goal to have a redundant system in place so that if we experience an instrument failure, we will not be forced to outsource cases.   We are also currently working through the procurement process in order to purchase three (3) Hydrogen Generators in order to supply Hydrogen (carrier gas) to our analytical instruments.   

    The Crime Laboratory is actively involved in the procurement process to purchase one GC-FID-MS for BAC analyses, and one GC-FID as a backup to the new GC-FID-MS.  The Lab is also in the process of purchasing three hydrogen generators.  The City’s procurement process is a slow and laborious, and it will most likely be the summer of this year before we can begin to conduct BAC casework again.

    The Crime Laboratory is actively involved in the procurement process to purchase one GC-FID-MS for BAC analyses, and one GC-FID as a backup to the new GC-FID-MS.  The Lab is also in the process of purchasing three hydrogen generators.  The City’s procurement process is a slow and laborious, and it will most likely be the end of this year before we can begin to conduct BAC casework again.
  • Chemistry Unit (AC)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AC4-SB Expand capacity in the Chemistry Unit to process bold alcohol testing as part of soliciting as many as 1,000 cases annually from local police departments.

    At our current staffing level and with the difficulties that we have with our current BAC instrumentation, no in-sourcing of blood alcohol cases from external agencies will be feasible at this time.  We have approved Needs Assessments for two additional chemists and one BAC analyst; however, no funds have been allocated.  If we in-sourced cases without adding personnel, the Unit’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround time.

    At our current staffing level and with the difficulties that we have with our current BAC instrumentation, no insourcing of blood alcohol cases from external agencies will be feasible at this time.  We have approved Needs Assessments for two additional chemists and one BAC analyst; however, no funds have been allocated.  If we insourced cases without adding personnel, the Unit’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround time.

    At our current staffing level and with the difficulties that we have with our current BAC instrumentation, no insourcing of blood alcohol cases from external agencies will be feasible at this time.  We have approved Needs Assessments for two additional chemists and one BAC analyst; however, no funds have been allocated.  If we insourced cases without adding personnel, the Unit’s turnaround time would increase, which would be contrary to the Strategic Goal of reducing Unit turnaround time.
  • Chemistry Unit (AC)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AD1-SB Reduce turnaround time for routine cases to 30 days and rush cases to a maximum of two weeks.

    December 1- December 30, 2018

    8 Cases completed. Average total turnaround time 152 days. 37.5% of cases had a turnaround time less than 90 days.  (The average time that it took to complete a case once it got into the Unit was 10.62 days)

    *It should be noted that Firearm & Toolmark Unit is the last Unit in the Crime Laboratory to receive evidence when that evidence needs to go to multiple Units.  8 (100%) of 8 cases were in the Firearm Unit less than 90 days

    238 entries into NIBIN & 14 NIBIN hits.

    1 CPI worked during this time frame.  The turnaround time on the case was 295 days; the case was delayed due to a request for DNA swabs.  Once the case arrived in the Unit it was completed in only 3 days.

    January 1 - January 30, 2019

    7 cases completed. Average turnaround time 26.25 days. All  cases had a turnaround time of less than 90 days.

    *It should be noted that Firearm & Toolmark Unit is the last Unit in the Crime Laboratory to receive evidence when that evidence needs to go to multiple Units.

    All 7 (100%) of these cases were in the unit less than 90 days. Average time in the unit was 20 days. 185 entries into NIBIN and 21 NIBIN hits (11.35% hit rate).     
                         
    2 CPI's were completed during this timeframe.  The average turnaround time for the two CPIs is 19.5 days; with an in Unit time of 10 days.      

                                     

    February 1 – 27, 2019

    9 Firearm Cases completed.  Average turnaround time 249 days.  Six of the nine cases (66.66%) had a turnaround time of less than 90 days.  The average time in the Unit for the cases was 36 days.

    *It should be noted that Firearm and Toolmark Unit is the last Unit in the Crime Laboratory to receive evidence when that evidence needs to go to multiple units.


    There were no CPI’s completed during this time frame.

    177 entries into NIBIN and 33 NIBIN hits (18.6% hit rate)

  • Firearms Unit (AD)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AD2-SB All Firearms examiners will receive required training and development to qualify for licensure.

    No one in the Firearm Unit attended any training venue during December 2018.

    Forensic Supervisor Jerek Brown and Senior Forensic Scientist Paul Slocum attended the 2019 Shot Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    No one in the Firearm Unit attended training in February.
  • Firearms Unit (AD)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AD3-SB Submit a plan to increase the capacity of the Firearms Unit.

    The Crime Laboratory officially began the trial phase of its new NIBIN process on August 21, 2018.  Since starting the new process, the Crime Laboratory is compliant with the new ATF MROS standards of entering all appropriate firearms evidence within 48 business hours.  There have been a few firearms that were not entered in the 48 hour time frame, but that was due to specific requests from detectives for some type of additional processing that prevented the immediate entry into NIBIN.  It should be noted that the ATF gave local jurisdictions until 2020 to become MROS compliant.

    The Crime Laboratory officially began the trial phase of its new NIBIN process on August 21, 2018.  Since starting the new process, the Crime Laboratory is compliant with the new ATF MROS standards of entering all appropriate firearms evidence within 48 business hours.  There have been a few firearms that were not entered in the 48 hour timeframe, but that was due to specific requests from detectives for some type of additional processing that prevented the immediate entry into NIBIN, or an issue with getting the evidence from the Property Control Unit.  It should be noted that the ATF gave local jurisdictions until 2020 to become MROS compliant. On January 15, 2019, an IOC was submitted to the chain of command requesting that the changes made in our trial NIBIN protocols be made permanent. 

    On February 21, 2019, Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald approved the Crime Laboratory’s IOC on changes made to NIBIN protocols.  
  • Firearms Unit (AD)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AE1-SB Reduce turnaround time for routine cases to 30 days and rush cases to a maximum of two weeks.

    The average turnaround time for all cases completed during December was 55 days.  All rush cases were completed within 10 days or less.

    The average turnaround time for all cases completed during December was 64 days. All rush cases were completed within 5 days or less.

    The average turnaround time for all cases completed during February was 37 days. The average turnaround time for all rush cases was 13 days.
  • Latent Print Unit (AE)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • No Funding Needed
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    AE2-SB All Latent Print examiners will receive required training and development to maintain certifications.

    Latent Print Supervisor Deborah Smith successfully completed the 4th semester of the MSFS program at OSU.  She completed three classes this semester: Forensic Statistics, Molecular Biology for Forensic Scientists, and Criminalistics.  

    Latent Print Supervisor Deborah Smith has started her 4th semester of the MSFS program, and provided Quality Assurance training to other latent print examiners.  Latent Print Technician Jamie Mueller again provided information about the Latent Print Unit during the Detective course and the Intermediate Crime Scene Investigation course at the FWPD Academy again.

    Latent Print Supervisor is currently in the 5th semester of the MSFS program, and the Latent Print Unit provided a tour for a group of defense attorneys.
  • Latent Print Unit (AE)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AE3-SB Submit a plan to expand the services of the Latent Print Unit.

    The Latent Print Unit has volunteered to provide in-depth training to all CSSU officers on techniques for taking good quality major case prints.

    The Latent Print Unit has volunteered to provide in-depth training to all CSSU officers on techniques for taking good quality major case prints.

    The Latent Print Unit volunteered to provide in-depth training to all FWPD officers during their standard Academy training.
  • Latent Print Unit (AE)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AF1-SB Reduce turnaround time for routine cases to under 3 months, for case assignment to report, and reduce the total turnaround time to under one year.

    As of 12-20-18, the average total turnaround time for December 2018: 254 days.  Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 196 days.  The Biology Unit backlog as of 12-20-18 is 569 case records and 8 requests pending approval.     

    As of 1-29-19, the average total turnaround time for January 2019: 560 days.  Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 265 days.   The Biology Unit backlog as of 1-29-19 is 573 case records and 16 requests pending approval.     

    As of 2-25-19: Average total turnaround time for February 2019: 381 days.  Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 130 days.   The Biology Unit backlog as of 2-25-19 is 557 case records. As of 02-27-19 there are 6 requests pending approval.    
  • Biology Unit (AF)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • No Funding Needed
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    AF2-SB Biologists will receive required training and development to qualify for licensure.

    As of 12-20-18: Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson & Sr. Forensic Scientist Uvonna Alexander attended the 24th Annual National CODIS Conference.  Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson also attended the National DNA Technical Leader Symposium.  Forensic Scientist Alisha Lagrini participated in 4 web-based trainings regarding SWGDAM recommendations on communicating likelihood ratios, interpreting YSTR data, Y screen assay, and the CJIS security awareness training.  Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson also completed the CJIS security awareness training.  Forensic Scientist Amanda Schaffner completed 6 web-based trainings regarding topics such as probabilistic genotyping, methylation patterns, ASCLD DNA standards, Y screen assays, interpreting YSTR data, and NGS.

    As of 1-29-19: Biology Unit members have not participated in any continuing education during January 2019.  

    Forensic Scientist Amanda Rickerd and Senior Forensic Scientist Trisa Crutcher will be attending the AFDAA (Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators) 2019 Winter Workshop on 2-28-19.  
  • Biology Unit (AF)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • Funding Needed
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    AF3-SB Validate Global filer DNA test kit with expanded Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) loci.

    Quantifier Trio and Global Filer are actively being used in casework.

    Quantifier Trio and Global Filer are actively being used in casework.

    Quantifier Trio and Global Filer are actively being used in casework.
  • Biology Unit (AF)
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  • Forensic Lab Manager
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  • No Funding Needed
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