Austin PD crime lab up for forensic commission review of drylabbing allegations

In Dallas today, a committee of the Forensic Science Commission will be vetting details of misconduct allegations at the Austin PD crime lab, specifically that they issued preliminary reports without performing any tests, a practice known as drylabbing, and produced results that contradicted findings of a private lab in at least three cases. In a complaint to the commission, a private, Dallas-area lab director wrote to the commission that, "we have worked several cases behind Austin PD's controlled substance lab and found problems so large, I feel I am ethically bound to bring them to your attention," reported the Austin Statesman in a story previewing the meeting.

Wish I could be there for it. (See the agenda.) Presumably, the FSC will discuss the case again at its April 13 meeting in Austin.

Related:

• Former Austin crime lab scientist says reports issued without testing
• More allegations at the APD crime lab
• Forensic commission reviewing Austin, El Paso crime labs