The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is taking time during National Forensic Science Week to honor the diligent individuals in their Crime Laboratory Division. According to a public release, DPS Director Steven McCraw expressed his gratitude for the crime labs' exceptional work, stating, "Without the expertise and commitment of these men and women, we would not be able to protect and preserve public safety in Texas."
Established in 1937, the DPS Crime Laboratory Division began as a one-chemist operation and has since grown to include 16 accredited crime labs scattered across the state with roughly 660 personnel, as per the Texas Department of Public Safety. The division specializes in a diverse range of forensic analyses, from trace evidence and DNA to toxicology and digital evidence. These labs are instrumental to investigative efforts, leveraging databases such as AFIS and CODIS to share and integrate information on a local, state, and even national level.
Recent legislative efforts have aided the division in solving crimes more efficiently. Notably, under House Bill 1399, DNA samples are now collected from arrestees for certain felonies, resulting in approximately 28 additional cases being aided this year. What's more, beginning September 1, 2023, House Bill 3956 called for the collection of DNA samples from all felony class offense arrestees, which has already led to 100 CODIS hits. DPS labs have also made significant strides in processing sexual assault kits (SAKs), with turnaround times under 90 days and a successful tracking program that currently keeps tabs on over 50,000 SAKs.
