Houston Crime Lab Fires CSI Over Alleged Policy Violations

HOUSTON, TX — A crime scene investigator with the Houston Forensic Science Center was fired on Thursday after officials determined she’d committed several policy violations related to evidence testing officials said in a press release.

Officials claimed the CSI used personal equipment known as an alternate light source used to test for biological evidence, such as blood saliva, and semen, officials said in a press release on Friday.

Officials said that quality control processes indicated the equipment didn’t meet the same high standards as those used in the Houston crime lab.

The CSI had reported negative results on eight evidence items while conducting her tests. Of the eight items retested using HFSC’s alternate light source instruments, three came back positive for biological fluids.

Officials said the quality division then reviewed 18 cases the CSI had completed using an ALS. Evidence was only available to be recalled in three of those cases. Upon retesting, additional evidence items the CSI had initially reported as negative came back positive.

“The work done by HFSC has enormous impacts on people’s lives, the justice system and the community. We take that responsibility seriously and believe we have an obligation to hold ourselves to the highest standards,” said Dr. Peter Stout who heads up the Houston Forensic Science Center.

The violations were reported to the Harris County DA’s Office and the Texas Forensic Science Center.

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