Tex.
Code of Crim. Proc. Article 38.01
Texas Forensic Science Commission
(1)
“Accredited field of forensic science” means a specific forensic method or methodology validated or approved by the commission under this article.(2)
“Commission” means the Texas Forensic Science Commission.(3)
“Crime laboratory” has the meaning assigned by Article 38.35 (Forensic Analysis of Evidence; Admissibility).(3-a)
“DNA QA database” means a database maintained by a crime laboratory and used to identify possible contamination or other quality assurance events with respect to a DNA sample.(3-b)
“Elimination sample” means a blood sample or other biological sample or specimen voluntarily provided by the victim of an offense or another individual not involved in the alleged offense whose DNA is likely to be present at the scene of the crime to isolate and identify the DNA of a potential perpetrator.(4)
“Forensic analysis” means a medical, chemical, toxicologic, ballistic, or other expert examination or test performed on physical evidence, including DNA evidence, for the purpose of determining the connection of the evidence to a criminal action, except that the term does not include the portion of an autopsy conducted by a medical examiner or other forensic pathologist who is a licensed physician.(4-a)
“Forensic examination or test not subject to accreditation” means an examination or test described by Article 38.35 (Forensic Analysis of Evidence; Admissibility)(a)(4)(A), (B), (C), or (D) that is exempt from accreditation.(5)
“Office of capital and forensic writs” means the office of capital and forensic writs established under Subchapter B (Definitions), Chapter 78 (Capital and Forensic Writs Committee and Office of Capital and Forensic Writs), Government Code.(6)
“Physical evidence” has the meaning assigned by Article 38.35 (Forensic Analysis of Evidence; Admissibility).(1)
two members who must have expertise in the field of forensic science;(2)
one member who must be a prosecuting attorney that the governor selects from a list of 10 names submitted by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association;(3)
one member who must be a defense attorney that the governor selects from a list of 10 names submitted by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association;(4)
one member who must be a faculty member or staff member of The University of Texas who specializes in clinical laboratory medicine that the governor selects from a list of five names submitted by the chancellor of The University of Texas System;(5)
one member who must be a faculty member or staff member of Texas A&M University who specializes in clinical laboratory medicine that the governor selects from a list of five names submitted by the chancellor of The Texas A&M University System;(6)
one member who must be a faculty member or staff member of Texas Southern University that the governor selects from a list of five names submitted by the chancellor of Texas Southern University;(7)
one member who must be a director or division head of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Missing Persons DNA Database; and(8)
one member who must be a faculty or staff member of the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice and have expertise in the field of forensic science or statistical analyses that the governor selects from a list of five names submitted by the chancellor of the Texas State University System.(b)
Each member of the commission serves a two-year term. The terms expire on September 1 of:(1)
each odd-numbered year, for a member appointed under Subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), or (4); and(2)
each even-numbered year, for a member appointed under Subsection (a)(5), (6), (7), or (8).(c)
The governor shall designate a member of the commission to serve as the presiding officer.(b)
The commission shall publish the code of professional responsibility adopted under Subsection (a).(c)
The commission shall adopt rules establishing sanctions for code violations.(d)
The commission shall update the code of professional responsibility as necessary to reflect changes in science, technology, or other factors affecting the persons, laboratories, facilities, and other entities regulated under this article.(1)
develop and implement a reporting system through which a crime laboratory may report professional negligence or professional misconduct;(2)
require a crime laboratory that conducts forensic analyses to report professional negligence or professional misconduct to the commission; and(3)
investigate, in a timely manner, any allegation of professional negligence or professional misconduct that would substantially affect the integrity of:(A)
the results of a forensic analysis conducted by a crime laboratory;(B)
an examination or test that is conducted by a crime laboratory and that is a forensic examination or test not subject to accreditation; or(C)
testimony related to an analysis, examination, or test described by Paragraph (A) or (B).(a-1)
The commission may initiate an investigation of a forensic analysis or a forensic examination or test not subject to accreditation, without receiving a complaint submitted through the reporting system implemented under Subsection (a)(1), if the commission determines by a majority vote of a quorum of the members of the commission that an investigation of the analysis, examination, or test would advance the integrity and reliability of forensic science in this state.(b)
If the commission conducts an investigation under Subsection (a)(3) of a crime laboratory that is accredited under this article pursuant to an allegation of professional negligence or professional misconduct involving an accredited field of forensic science, the investigation:(1)
must include the preparation of a written report that identifies and also describes the methods and procedures used to identify:(A)
the alleged negligence or misconduct;(B)
whether negligence or misconduct occurred;(C)
any corrective action required of the laboratory, facility, or entity;(D)
observations of the commission regarding the integrity and reliability of the forensic analysis conducted;(E)
best practices identified by the commission during the course of the investigation; and(F)
other recommendations that are relevant, as determined by the commission; and(2)
may include one or more:(A)
retrospective reexaminations of other forensic analyses conducted by the laboratory, facility, or entity that may involve the same kind of negligence or misconduct; and(B)
follow-up evaluations of the laboratory, facility, or entity to review:(i)
the implementation of any corrective action required under Subdivision (1)(C); or(ii)
the conclusion of any retrospective reexamination under Paragraph (A).(b-1)
If the commission conducts an investigation under Subsection (a)(3) of a crime laboratory that is not accredited under this article or the investigation involves a forensic examination or test not subject to accreditation, the investigation may include the preparation of a written report that contains:(1)
observations of the commission regarding the integrity and reliability of the applicable analysis, examination, or test conducted;(2)
best practices identified by the commission during the course of the investigation; or(3)
other recommendations that are relevant, as determined by the commission.(b-2)
If the commission conducts an investigation of a forensic analysis under Subsection (a-1), the investigation must include the preparation of a written report that contains:(1)
observations of the commission regarding the integrity and reliability of the forensic analysis conducted;(2)
best practices identified by the commission during the course of the investigation; and(3)
other recommendations that are relevant, as determined by the commission.(c)
The commission by contract may delegate the duties described by Subsections (a)(1) and (3) and Sections 4-d(b)(1), (b-1), and (d) to any person the commission determines to be qualified to assume those duties.(d)
The commission may require that a crime laboratory investigated under this section pay any costs incurred to ensure compliance with Subsection (b), (b-1), or (b-2).(e)
The commission shall make all investigation reports completed under Subsection (b), (b-1), or (b-2) available to the public. A report completed under Subsection (b), (b-1), or (b-2), in a subsequent civil or criminal proceeding, is not prima facie evidence of the information or findings contained in the report.(f)
The commission may not make a determination of whether professional negligence or professional misconduct occurred or issue a finding on that question in an investigation initiated under Subsection (a-1) or for which an investigation report may be prepared under Subsection (b-1).(g)
The commission may not issue a finding related to the guilt or innocence of a party in an underlying civil or criminal trial involving conduct investigated by the commission under this article.(h)
The commission may review and refer cases that are the subject of an investigation under Subsection (a)(3) or (a-1) to the office of capital and forensic writs in accordance with Section 78.054 (Powers and Duties)(b), Government Code.(1)
“Forensic analysis” has the meaning assigned by Article 38.35 (Forensic Analysis of Evidence; Admissibility).(2)
“Forensic analyst” means a person who on behalf of a crime laboratory accredited under this article technically reviews or performs a forensic analysis or draws conclusions from or interprets a forensic analysis for a court or crime laboratory. The term does not include a medical examiner or other forensic pathologist who is a licensed physician.(b)
A person may not act or offer to act as a forensic analyst unless the person holds a forensic analyst license. The commission by rule may establish classifications of forensic analyst licenses if the commission determines that it is necessary to ensure the availability of properly trained and qualified forensic analysts to perform activities regulated by the commission.(c)
The commission by rule may establish voluntary licensing programs for forensic examinations or tests not subject to accreditation.(d)
The commission by rule shall:(1)
establish the qualifications for a license that include:(A)
successful completion of the education requirements established by the commission;(B)
specific course work and experience, including instruction in courtroom testimony and ethics in a crime laboratory;(C)
successful completion of an examination required or recognized by the commission; and(D)
successful completion of proficiency testing to the extent required for crime laboratory accreditation;(2)
set fees for the issuance and renewal of a license; and(3)
establish the term of a forensic analyst license.(e)
The commission by rule may recognize a certification issued by a national organization in an accredited field of forensic science as satisfying the requirements established under Subsection (d)(1)(C) to the extent the commission determines the content required to receive the certification is substantially equivalent to the content of the requirements under that subsection.(f)
The commission shall issue a license to an applicant who:(1)
submits an application on a form prescribed by the commission;(2)
meets the qualifications established by commission rule; and(3)
pays the required fee.(b)
The advisory committee consists of nine members as follows:(1)
one prosecuting attorney recommended by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association;(2)
one defense attorney recommended by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; and(3)
seven members who are forensic scientists, crime laboratory directors, or crime laboratory quality managers, selected by the commission from a list of 20 names submitted by the Texas Association of Crime Laboratory Directors.(c)
The commission shall ensure that appointments under Subsection (b)(3) include representation from municipal, county, state, and private crime laboratories that are accredited under this article.(d)
The advisory committee members serve staggered two-year terms, with the terms of four or five members, as appropriate, expiring on August 31 of each year. An advisory committee member may not serve more than two consecutive terms. A vacancy on the advisory committee is filled by appointing a member in the same manner as the original appointment to serve for the unexpired portion of the term.(e)
The advisory committee shall elect a presiding officer from among its members to serve a one-year term. A member may serve more than one term as presiding officer.(f)
The advisory committee shall meet annually and at the call of the presiding officer or the commission.(g)
An advisory committee member is not entitled to compensation. A member is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing duties as a member of the advisory committee subject to the General Appropriations Act.(h)
Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee.(1)
revoke or suspend the person’s license or crime laboratory’s accreditation;(2)
refuse to renew the person’s license or crime laboratory’s accreditation; or(3)
reprimand the license holder or crime laboratory.(b)
The commission may place on probation a person whose license is suspended. If a license suspension is probated, the commission may require the license holder to:(1)
report regularly to the commission on matters that are the basis of the probation; or(2)
continue or review continuing professional education until the license holder attains a degree of skill satisfactory to the commission in those areas that are the basis of the probation.(c)
The commission shall give written notice by certified mail of a determination described by Subsection (a) to the applicable license holder or crime laboratory. The notice must:(1)
include a brief summary of the alleged negligence, misconduct, or violation;(2)
state the disciplinary action taken by the commission; and(3)
inform the license holder or crime laboratory of the license holder’s or crime laboratory’s right to a hearing before the Judicial Branch Certification Commission on the occurrence of the negligence, misconduct, or violation, the imposition of a disciplinary action, or both.(d)
Not later than the 20th day after the date the license holder or crime laboratory receives the notice under Subsection (c), the license holder or crime laboratory may accept the disciplinary action or request a hearing by submitting a written request to the Judicial Branch Certification Commission to contest the findings of fact or conclusions of law, the occurrence of the negligence, misconduct, or violation, or the imposition of a disciplinary action, as applicable. If the license holder or crime laboratory fails to timely submit a request, the commission’s disciplinary action becomes final and is not subject to review by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.(e)
If the license holder or crime laboratory requests a hearing, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall conduct a hearing to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the determination under Subsection (a) that the negligence, misconduct, or violation occurred. If the Judicial Branch Certification Commission upholds the determination, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall determine the type of disciplinary action to be taken. The Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall conduct the hearing, and any appeal of that commission’s decision, in accordance with the procedures provided by Subchapter B (Imposition of Penalty), Chapter 153 (Commission Enforcement), Government Code, as applicable, and the rules of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.(b)
The commission by rule:(1)
shall establish an accreditation process for crime laboratories and other entities conducting forensic analyses of physical evidence for use in criminal proceedings; and(2)
may modify or remove a crime laboratory exemption under this section if the commission determines that the underlying reason for the exemption no longer applies.(b-1)
As part of the accreditation process established and implemented under Subsection (b), the commission may:(1)
establish minimum standards that relate to the timely production of a forensic analysis to the agency requesting the analysis and that are consistent with this article and applicable laws;(2)
validate or approve specific forensic methods or methodologies; and(3)
establish procedures, policies, standards, and practices to improve the quality of forensic analyses conducted in this state.(b-2)
The commission may require that a laboratory, facility, or entity required to be accredited under this section pay any costs incurred to ensure compliance with the accreditation process.(b-3)
A laboratory, facility, or entity that must be accredited under this section shall, as part of the accreditation process, agree to consent to any request for cooperation by the commission that is made as part of the exercise of the commission’s duties under this article.(c)
The commission by rule may exempt from the accreditation process established under Subsection (b) a crime laboratory conducting a forensic analysis or a type of analysis, examination, or test if the commission determines that:(1)
independent accreditation is unavailable or inappropriate for the laboratory or the type of analysis, examination, or test performed by the laboratory;(2)
the type of analysis, examination, or test performed by the laboratory is admissible under a well-established rule of evidence or a statute other than Article 38.35 (Forensic Analysis of Evidence; Admissibility);(3)
the type of analysis, examination, or test performed by the laboratory is routinely conducted outside of a crime laboratory by a person other than an employee of the crime laboratory; or(4)
the laboratory:(A)
is located outside this state or, if located in this state, is operated by a governmental entity other than the state or a political subdivision of the state; and(B)
was accredited at the time of the analysis under an accreditation process with standards that meet or exceed the relevant standards of the process established under Subsection (b).(d)
The commission may at any reasonable time enter and inspect the premises or audit the records, reports, procedures, or other quality assurance matters of a crime laboratory that is accredited or seeking accreditation under this section.(e)
The commission may collect costs incurred under this section for accrediting, inspecting, or auditing a crime laboratory.(f)
If the commission provides a copy of an audit or other report made under this section, the commission may charge $6 for the copy, in addition to any other cost permitted under Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code, or a rule adopted under that chapter.(1)
requiring a DNA QA database to be maintained separately from any other local, state, or federal database, including the CODIS DNA database established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;(2)
prohibiting a crime laboratory from uploading or storing a DNA record created from an elimination sample, or any other information derived from that record, in any database other than the DNA QA database maintained by the crime laboratory;(3)
prohibiting a crime laboratory from allowing any other person to access the crime laboratory’s DNA QA database; and(4)
requiring each crime laboratory that maintains a DNA QA database to, not later than three months after the date on which a forensic DNA analysis of an elimination sample is completed, remove from the DNA QA database the DNA record created from the elimination sample and any other information derived from that record that is contained in the database.(1)
a description of each complaint filed with the commission during the preceding 12-month period, the disposition of each complaint, and the status of any complaint still pending on December 31;(2)
a description of any specific forensic method or methodology the commission designates as part of the accreditation process for crime laboratories established by rule under this article;(3)
recommendations for best practices concerning the definition of “forensic analysis” provided by statute or by rule;(4)
developments in forensic science made or used in other state or federal investigations and the activities of the commission, if any, with respect to those developments; and(5)
other information that is relevant to investigations involving forensic science, as determined by the presiding officer of the commission.(b)
The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall provide administrative support to the commission as necessary to enable the commission to carry out the purposes of this article.(c)
Only the commission may exercise the duties of the commission under this article. Except as provided by Subsection (b), the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System does not have any authority or responsibility with respect to the duties of the commission under this article.
Source:
Article 38.01 — Texas Forensic Science Commission, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.38.htm#38.01 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
