"HPD's crime lab asks for $1.25 million," is the report in today's Houston Chronicle.
The Houston Police Department is asking City Council to approve $1.25 million to hire outside scientists to review all tests done by the recently reopened DNA crime lab.
Limited DNA testing resumed at the crime lab in July, but the department still outsources the majority of tests to a Dallas firm.
The two consultants, Dr. Charlotte J. Word and Dr. Robin W. Cotton, would review every case involving DNA testing and check the processes and conclusions reached by HPD's in-house laboratory, according to Dr. Laura Gahn, the DNA lab's technical director.
The hiring of independent, outside consultants was a recommendation of the multi-year, $5.3 million probe of HPD's troubled crime lab, completed in 2007.
"Now, you have an extra level of oversight from outside, giving the public an extra level of confidence," Gahn said.
Gahn was hired in June to replace Vanessa Nelson, who resigned in January. Nelson left after HPD's internal investigators concluded she was feeding analysts answers needed to pass a DNA skills test in 2007.
Gahn said the lab is doing some DNA tests but cannot handle the required volume, yet, to end the outsourcing contract. Of the nine staff analysts, only five can perform DNA testing now; the rest are in training.
Earlier coverage is here. All reports of the independent investigation conducted by Michael Bromwich are here.
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