DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[SlopsterSlasher]

House Bill 2703: AN ACT relating to the testing of certain physical evidence, crime laboratory accreditation, and the admissibility of evidence examined or tested by a crime laboratory.
House Bill 2703 has changed the rules on laboratory accreditation.

Below are the links to the Texas Register concerning the Administrative Rules (Emergency and Proposed) dealing with HB 2703. Feel free to share the links with anyone you may have contact with concerning the accreditation process.

The 7 page document is the proposed emergency rules.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/August82003/EMERGENCY/37.PUBLIC%20SAFETY%20AND%20CORRECTIO...

The 9 page document is the proposed regular rules.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/August82003/PROPOSED/37.PUBLIC%20SAFETY%20AND%20CORRECTION...

Dr, Urbanovsky, with DPS, is in contact with Mike Blinn of the TCEQ Special Investigations Unit. They are trying to reach an accord on how to handle this problem. Mike Blinn believes that we should emphasize that splits are not practical because we would probably be breaking the law in storing them if the material or waste is hazardous. We may also need to address hold times and sample size (some samples are just too small to split such as the "P" trap under a sink when testing on a meth lab). Mike is suggesting that DPS in their rules allow accreditation for private labs if they meet TCEQ's accreditation process.

Dr. Urbanovsky needs to know why environmental labs require different accreditation than regular crime labs. Please look at the above links and make comments to him at the address listed below.
Comments need to be forwarded to

Mr. Ron Urbanovsky
Director, Laboratory Services
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Laboratories
P. O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765-4143