Forensic Science Division

Support Bureau
Goal Accomplishments
Jul-19 		Accomplishments
Aug-19 		Accomplishments
Sep-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 8 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of July. 

    We had 12 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of August. 

    We had 34 different entries in the Laboratory’s Professional Development Log for the month of September. 
  • 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.

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

    One of the new hydrogen generators was used to replace an older unit that was not functioning optimally. The older hydrogen generator will need to be repaired or replaced; quote for repair requested from vendor. The validation process for the GC-FID and GC-FID-MS started on June 3, 2019, and is on schedule with validation, SOP on ethanol processing, and SOP update on UM.  First draft of SOP for GC-FID/GC-FID-MS and UM is complete.  Review of SOPs are on schedule.  The 2nd draft of SOPs should be completed by September 6, 2019.  Should receive CTS BAC tests at the beginning of September. 

    The Crime Laboratory is just completing the validation process on a GC-FID-MS & GC-FID. Our new equipment and SOPs should be reviewed by ANAB in an offsite assessment prior to the end of the year. Once we have received ANAB approval we will be able to conduct BAC testing again. We should have City Council approval for funding at the end of this month or the beginning of the next month that will allow us to purchase a LCMS instrument. This new instrument will permit us to conduct THC quantification testing.
  • 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 has grant funding that will allow us to begin the process of validating Y-screening for sexual assault kit examinations.  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.  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.  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), the project was pushed back to the end of 2019 calendar year.  In order to move forward with the STRMIX project, the Laboratory first needs to obtain Qiacubes.  We have grant funding for Qiacubes; however, the purchasing process has been delayed for several months because of contractual concerns from the City’s Legal Department.         
  • 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 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.

    Texas SB1325 took effect when it was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, and legalizes hemp in the state of Texas. Marijuana and hemp are both Cannabis sativa L plants containing Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The difference between the two is the quantity of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol present. The Crime Laboratory needs new equipment in order to be able to quantify THC in evidentiary items. The Laboratory has been advised that seized asset forfeiture funds should be available at the end of September to purchase a LCMS with diode-array detection (DAD).  If funding becomes available at the end of September, the Crime Laboratory may be able to physically have a new instrument by December 2019 or January 2020, and this would permit us to bring THC quantification testing online by approximately the summer of 2020.  If the Chemistry Unit gets a new LCMS DAD and an additional chemist, the Crime Laboratory could begin to in source THC quantification cases. 

    Texas SB1325 took effect when it was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, and legalizes hemp in the State of Texas.  Marijuana and hemp are both Cannabis sativa L plants containing Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.  The difference between the two is the quantity of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol present.  The Crime Laboratory needs new equipment in order to be able to quantify THC in evidentiary items.  The Laboratory has been advised that seized asset forfeiture funds should be available on October 15 to purchase a LCMS with diode-array detection (DAD).  If funding becomes available, the Crime Laboratory may be able to physically have a new instrument by the beginning of 2020, and this would permit us to bring THC quantification testing online by approximately the summer of 2020.  If the Chemistry Unit gets a new LCMS DAD and an additional chemist, the Crime Laboratory could begin to insource THC quantification cases.
  • 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.

    June 26 to July 26, 2019:

    84 cases currently in queue

    194 CS cases completed and reported

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


    40 Rush cases requested

    30 Rush cases completed within 14 days

    (Two of rush cases had to wait until standards were ordered and received to complete, cases from April)

    75% Rush cases completed <14 days

    95% total cases completed <30 days

     Average days to complete case: 11 days    

                          

    July 27 to August 27, 2019:

    52 cases currently in queue


    245 CS cases completed and reported

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

    32 Rush cases requested

    30 Rush cases completed within 14 days

    93.75% Rush cases completed <14 days

    95% total cases completed <30 days

     Average days to complete case: 10.4days                 

    Aug 28 to Sept 23, 2019:

    71 cases currently in queue'

    173 CS cases completed and reported

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

    29 Rush cases requested

    27 Rush cases completed within 14 days

    93.10% Rush cases completed <14 days

    100% total cases completed <30 days

    Average days to complete case: 6.2days                 

  • 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.

    Maria Olds received Master of Science Degree in Forensic Toxicology. One analyst attended the Emotional Intelligence Class.           

    Two analysts attended DEA vendor presentation - LCMS for THC Quantification analysis.

    Six analysts have attended Agilent Technologies Mass Hunter and Quantitation Class.  Six of the Unit’s seven analysts have already completed the FEMA ISO100, 200, 700, and 800 training; the remaining analyst will complete before required due date.
  • 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 Chemistry Unit received three hydrogen generators, one GC-FID, and one GC-FID-MS instrument in May 2019.  The three hydrogen generators are installed and working efficiently.  One of the new hydrogen generators was used to replace an older unit that was not functioning optimally.  The older hydrogen generator will need to be repaired or replaced.

    The validation process for the GC-FID and GC-FID-MS began on June 3, 2019, and is on schedule.  The instruments are being validated, SOPs on ethanol processing are being developed, and our Uncertainty of Measurement SOP is being updated.  We had encountered an issue with the airline that supplies carrier gas to the instruments.  The air that was coming out of the airline was contaminated; this issue has been resolved, and validation is continuing on the GC-FID.    

    One of the new hydrogen generators was used to replace an older unit that was not functioning optimally.  The older hydrogen generator will need to be repaired or replaced; quote for repair requested from vendor. The validation process for the GC-FID and GC-FID-MS started on June 3, 2019, and is on schedule with validation, SOP on ethanol processing, and SOP update on UM.  First draft of SOP for GC-FID/GC-FID-MS and UM is complete.  Review of SOPs are on schedule.  The 2nd draft of SOPs should be completed by September 6, 2019.  Should receive CTS BAC tests at the beginning of September. 

    Validation of the new GC-FID and GC-FID-MS are complete, and in review.


    Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Uncertainty of Measurement (UM) have been completed for the GC-FID and GC-FID-MS and are in review.     SOP for GC-FID and GC-FID-MS are complete and in review.       

    Pending completion for BAC program: competency tests for BAC, CTS tests for BAC, and ANAB assessment of BAC program.

  • 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 old 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 insource 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 old 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-source 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 old 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 insource 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.

    July 1, 2019 - July 31, 2019

    Four Firearm cases were completed. Three of the four cases (75%) had a turnaround time less than 90 days (average turnaround time is 224.3 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. 75% (3 of 4) of the cases were completed in the Firearm Unit less than 90 days. (The average turnaround time to complete a case once it gets into the Unit was 57 days.)      

    1 CPI was completed.

    176 entries into NIBIN and 28 hits (15.9% hit rate)

    July 31st – August 29th 2019

     

    19 Firearm cases were completed. 7 of the 19 cases (36.8%) had a turnaround time less than 90 days (average turnaround time is 155 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. 100% (19 of 19) of the cases were completed in the Firearm Unit less than 90 days. (The average turnaround time to complete a case once it gets into the Unit was 24.52 days.)                        

     

    0 CPI’s were completed.

     

    152 entries into NIBIN and 10 Leads (6.5% Lead Rate)

    September 1 - September 27, 2019 10 Cases completed. 4 (40%) of the 10 cases had a turnaround time less than 90 days (average turnaround time is 225.6 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. 9 (90%) of 10 cases were completed in the Firearm Unit less than 90 days (The average time to complete a case once it gets into the Unit was 94 days) 2 CPI’s were completed. 100% of the 2 CPI’s were completed in less than 90 days (average turnaround time 26.5 days; average time in the unit 24.5). 190 entries into NIBIN and 25 Leads (13.15% 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 training was received in the Firearm's section during the month of July, 2019.    

    No training was received in the Firearm's section during the month of August, 2019

    Senior Forensic Scientist Paul Slocum and Forensic Scientist Lorelei Peterson both attended CRASE and Stop the Bleed training.
  • 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.

    On February 21, 2019, Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald approved the Crime Laboratory’s IOC on changes made to NIBIN protocols.  

    On February 21, 2019, Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald approved the Crime Laboratory’s IOC on changes made to NIBIN protocols.  

    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 July was 19 days.  There were no rush requests during this month.

    The average turnaround time for all cases completed during August was 13 days. There were no rush requests during this month.

    The average turnaround time for all cases completed during September was 19 days. There were no rush requests during this month.
  • 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 Examiner Pat Wertheim and Latent Print Supervisor Deborah Smith have initiated a plan to evaluate a new statistics model for the latent print discipline.  The Latent Print Supervisor provided Quality Assurance training to other latent print examiners again. 

    Latent Print Examiner Heather Wigington attended the International Association for Identification Educational Conference. Latent Print Supervisor Deborah Smith provided Quality Assurance training to other latent print examiners again, and started her final semester of her MSFS degree program. 

    Latent Print Examiner Heather Wigington completed ANAB Assessor refresher training, and is currently in her fall semester of her Bachelor's degree program. Latent Print Supervisor Smith completed the Agile Leader Course at the Fort Worth Training Academy, and is currently in her final semester of her MSFS degree program. Latent Print Technician Jamie Mueller completed "Brady Giglio" training.
  • 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 completed the revision of the LIMS worksheets and is currently wrapping up the report logic for the streamlined reporting process.

    The Latent Print Unit reviewed the functionality of two new latent print development products, Recover ID and a Gun Blue chemical technique, in the interest of developing additional ridge detail on fired casings. A cost benefit analysis resulted in the rejection of these two products as viable additions to the Latent Print Unit.

    The Latent Print Unit is currently working on the LIMS report/logic generation, and is currently in the process of developing additional ideas to provide training opportunities to FWPD officers.
  • 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 7-30-19: Average total turnaround time for July 2019: 307 days.  Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 165 days.   The Biology Unit backlog as of 7-30-19 is 552 case records and 40 requests pending approval.     

    As of 8-28-19: Average total turnaround time for August 2019: 124 days. Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 87 days.   The Biology Unit backlog as of 8-26-19 is 563 case records and 53 requests pending approval.     

    As of 9-26-19:  Average total turnaround time for September 2019: 445 days. Case assignment to report average turnaround time: 292 days. The Biology Unit backlog as of 9-26-19 is 545 case records and less than 75 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.

    Senior Forensic Scientist Trisa Crutcher and Forensic Scientist Amanda Rickerd completed two hours of webinar regarding STACS software.  Forensic Scientist Alisha Lagrini and Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson watched one four-hour webinar regarding Probabilistic Genotyping.  Senior Forensic Scientist Uvonna Alexander watched two four-hour webinars regarding Probabilistic Genotyping.  

    Senior Forensic Scientist Trisa Crutcher and Forensic Scientist Amanda Rickerd completed two hours of webinar regarding STACS software. Forensic Scientists Alisha Lagrini and Amanda Rickerd, Senior Forensic Scientists Uvonna Alexander and Trisa Crutcher, and Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson watched a webinar regarding Track-Kit. Senior Forensic Scientist Uvonna Alexander attended the Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators meeting.  

    Senior Forensic Scientist Uvonna Alexander, Forensic Scientist Amanda Rickerd, and Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson completed the City's 2019 Security Awareness Training. Senior Forensic Scientist Uvonna Alexander completed the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event and Stop-the-Bleed training, as well as participated in a Brady Giglio webinar. Forensic Supervisor Cassie Johnson attended the 1st Annual Forensic Academy. Forensic Scientist Alisha Lagrini attended the International Symposium on Human Identification.  
  • 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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