Overview

September 30, 2020

Introduction

The Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory started as a one-chemist operation established in 1937 at Austin's Camp Mabry.  Since then, it has developed into a comprehensive forensic laboratory system with labs at 16 different locations across the state of Texas.

Standard areas of analysis include:

  • Trace evidence (i.e., hair, fibers, paint, glass, gunshot residue, impressions, fire debris, etc.)
  • Biology/DNA
  • Digital/multimedia evidence
  • Firearms and toolmarks
  • Friction ridge analysis
  • Forensic documents
  • Seized drugs
  • Toxicology

These services are provided at various laboratory locations around the state which are strategically located for optimal access and support to the criminal justice community.

Our support of investigative capabilities are further enhanced by the integration and exchange of local, state, regional, and national information via individualizing databases, including the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The Crime Laboratory also includes the Breath Alcohol Laboratory (BAL) and its Office of the Scientific Director (OSD). The BAL and OSD are legislatively charged with administering a statewide judicially acceptable forensic breath alcohol test program for the Crime Laboratory and for programs operating outside of the DPS Crime Laboratory System.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Strategic goals and objectives of the Laboratory include, but are not limited to:

  1. Serve the State of Texas as one laboratory system with 16 locations; 
  2. Utilize the principles of lean manufacturing to increase efficiency, improve quality, and standardize operations; 
  3. Maintenance of a high level of quality assurance for Laboratory operations;
  4. Issuance of timely and accurate testing reports and/or calibration certificates, including the release of sexual assault kit testing reports within 90 days of submission;
  5. Improvement of the management of Laboratory records, information, and access to statistical data;
  6. Enhancement and encouragement of the use of contemporary, progressive scientific capabilities for all accredited services performed; 
  7. Improvement of the cost effectiveness of operations;
  8. Administration of the Texas Breath Alcohol Testing Regulations; and 
  9. Administration of the Texas CODIS Program

Personnel

The Crime Laboratory Division is comprised of approximately 660 personnel. New Crime Lab employees are provided intensive training before being approved to examine evidence. The length of initial training depends on the forensic scientist's areas of analysis. Some areas of analysis, such as seized drugs, may take approximately twelve months, while other areas, such as firearms or forensic document examinations, may take up to 24 months. Forensic scientists provide training to criminal justice system, analyze physical evidence in criminal cases, and present results of analyses through courtroom testimony.