[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6592045,"mediaKeyId","2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d","parentId",2963448,"title","Commission adopts minimum blind verification requirement for firearms comparisons","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",5414000,"endMs",5566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d&start=5414&end=5566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d/thumbnail_5414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592045/Texas/Commission-adopts-minimum-blind-verification-requirement-for-firearms-comparisons","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592045-1545244245570d8a57a065e65921a554/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509648&Signature=RZvfehjtggIkm1puFCB--JoPSJmCbzbNK1xsVN5EahByV6vxHyM3Qlf4ayxPj5obzKEV7zYvn3wuLPiiDnMgzq~890sXDAcrLqzuMGHKO6fvja3RztZwa~IKcBunIyyH~JGAV6tmSlpm0PT9PKsNpr-i1drQo1v4WNnopibv7g4tguWyK-FHFVnIPAG52o-lnFbtp2MHjNHkHGK0myTODurHLsxPy3T9coo3gu9Tge1Pnhxtj0BZqXDbywrNdMk2spcuMhoUJ0vHatF5c0tvtlPo1YA39qICNwq7OcWCnGuRpxaQpU409dzXtTRG~Lw0rsZ-6X9u8Yq6tmAxcMLw9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Criminal Appeals, Court of (CCA)","date","2025-04-11T16:52:09.347Z","article","The commission adopted a recommended blind-verification policy for firearms and toolmark comparison cases developed by a multi-agency working group convened after a prior investigative report.

Working-group members described two related efforts: a method-performance worksheet that will help examiners calculate case-specific factors affecting comparison error rates, and a blind-verification policy that sets a minimum floor for blind verification of comparison cases. Under the policy adopted by the commission, laboratories will perform blind verification on at least 5 percent of their comparison cases (or a minimum threshold such as one case per quarter for very low-volume labs) with the policy planned to take effect Nov. 1, 2025. The blind cases must be selected before examination and should include the full range of opinions (identifications, eliminations and conclusions) rather than focusing only on identifications.

Working-group participants told the commission the policy was designed collaboratively and includes guidance on items that should be excluded from the 5% calculation (for example, certain administrative or non-comparative events) and notes how the requirement scales by laboratory volume.

Commissioners thanked the working-group members and outside experts (including prosecutorial representatives) for their work and authorized staff to make non-substantive edits with accrediting-body review. The motion to adopt the draft blind-verification policy, subject to non-substantive revisions, carried by voice vote.

Staff and working-group leads said they would issue a supplemental report documenting the group\u000092s work and tools and that accrediting bodies would assess lab SOPs against the new policy after the November effective date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Forensic Science Commission Quarterly Meeting - 04.11.25","oneSentenceSummary","Following recommendations from a working group, the commission adopted a policy requiring a minimum of blind verification for firearms/toolmark comparisons (5% of cases or specific minimums) beginning Nov. 1, 2025, subject to non-substantive revisions.","taxTitle","Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA), Judicial, Texas","taxId",17431,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592049,"Commission adopts investigative report on altered proficiency form; staff recommends disciplinary action",0,8392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d&start=8392&end=8392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d/thumbnail_8392000.jpg","/articles/6592049/Texas/Commission-adopts-investigative-report-on-altered-proficiency-form-staff-recommends-disciplinary-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592049-018647db5c8e3bac8151812423d571d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509648&Signature=YyZ~DxmOEtrcKj1~q-uzcsIW7lOrELGt4qWhrNlNX1Mr0W0LY2gjNQi0l5ktlCSGd~CL5oPaBCIInUja2K4tb7meNdkW1XpjqtC9~P19roaWwSuELZ83iU7DWLQtMTEEDxSF1r98XRRaufqkZMbxtFnMayoTP32V2VSfdYyRD35kjfypDW-dLYg~lBHg8KjJdcS1LEebdbWUPY5KMRXAL2ZpjyqsanwF42bnYA~3eysk6c9KdQqGBfMvgKhaWEFC0ArQuddCMO6gcIIKMlgah-X94nUS2~BvSDuAO8lhrsJjuaQI4QdK4B-96cE~rgAF9xGHJopORwFOO1e~xCEQ7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Forensic Science Commission adopted a final investigative report stemming from self-disclosure 25.01 concerning an analyst at a regional laboratory who submitted an altered proficiency-monitoring certification form as part of a license renewal application.

Staff presented a summary of the investigation: an analyst uploaded a proficiency-monitoring certification form that listed multiple disciplines though the laboratory\u000092s quality director had only certified the analyst in toxicology. Staff said the PDF form was editable when distributed within the laboratory and that the analyst later acknowledged discovering the form listed both toxicology and seized-drugs disciplines. Management\u000092s internal audit and IT ticket review contradicted the analyst\u000092s explanation that an Adobe/IT glitch caused the change, and staff concluded the alteration was intentional.

Staff said the laboratory had previously mistakenly reissued a certification in 2022 and acknowledged some internal process confusion, but the commission\u000092s draft investigative report concluded the evidence supported a finding of deliberate alteration. The report recommended disciplinary action: suspension of the analyst\u000092s renewed license and denial of a further application for a specified period (the staff report contained the recommended discipline language and asked the commission to adopt the report subject to non-substantive revisions).

Two commissioners recused themselves from deliberations because of prior relationships or roles referenced on the record; the remaining commissioners moved to adopt the draft investigative report subject to non-substantive staff revisions and the motion carried on voice vote. The transcript records the motion, second and a voice vote of \"aye\" with the motion carried.

Staff said the lab and commission would implement the outcome consistent with administrative procedures, including suspension of the license consistent with the recommendation and formal notice to the licensee. The commission did not debate finer disciplinary details in public beyond the vote to adopt the report and the recorded recusals.","The commission adopted a final investigative report finding an analyst intentionally altered a proficiency-monitoring form and voted to accept recommended disciplinary measures pending non-substantive staff revisions; two commissioners recused from the vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592055,"DPS selects vendor for statewide records portal; rules cleared for Texas Register",139,8915000,9054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d&start=8915&end=9054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d/thumbnail_8915000.jpg","/articles/6592055/Texas/DPS-selects-vendor-for-statewide-records-portal-rules-cleared-for-Texas-Register","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592055-30e11276f6f66d888a1ad011366c4318/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509648&Signature=JJ30jo16~WBanNvXQ8wJm9eSMvJdVKZ4KKRjua7KzL5W0pOKBTE8ksLf6cJ7HqnmDS5Rx4-N8mqbgVE2HifXFXkYzfOqKVx-wDVUSufNj3sHSAU0GHUEOnxtMllmRxNORvHOo8aXmqE0593EVvaoyhQYWtNxhSb8UoyBoFzuzvPWDT-8eO4rkN6maqHngmh2NtlAcXKtpvLDJ-YrqL-~1zUv9RfMI4-kUylXgSWEdavnF6Ul0ZM0Kwq~f7wqF~zegjDhZfkzNTvkiOLJVmHx6IfChPnG7eEYnNaAJWc9S8cqw3PnhCDwITGr92KueeU03Sv0aDvPcDCvGKxInzpxcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) told the commission that System Technologies, a Texas-based firm, has been selected as the portal vendor to implement the statutorily required discovery portal (PrimeLoc) that will allow authorized criminal-defense counsel, prosecutors and labs to share and retrieve forensic records.

Kevin Callahan, records portal program supervisor at DPS, briefed the commission on the contract award and outreach plans. He said the Public Safety Commission voted to advance the administrative rules and that the rules will be sent to the Texas Register for public comment following the usual administrative process. DPS has established outreach to prosecutors and defense organizations and is using surveys and focus groups to gather requirements and test features during development.

DPS plans to integrate the portal with existing laboratory records-management systems rather than act as the primary file repository; records remain on laboratory systems and the portal will provide authorized access and discovery workflows. DPS said the vendor kickoff has occurred and that a public-facing PrimeLoc page with newsletters and status updates is available via the department website.

The DPS update also noted that the legislative budget process includes a rider that would make $500,000 available for local (city and county) laboratories to modernize records systems to comply with portal requirements; DPS said distribution details remain to be determined and likely would be administered through a state grant process.

DPS requested ongoing collaboration with prosecutors, defense organizations and labs to develop user workflows and said it will publish administrative-rule materials and continue stakeholder engagement as the vendor builds the portal.","The Texas Department of Public Safety announced System Technologies as the selected vendor for the PrimeLoc discovery portal; administrative rules for the portal were approved and will be published for comment, and a $500,000 budget rider for local lab modernization was reported in legislative materials.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":79,"_43":102,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592059,"State labs flag QIAGEN cartridge problems after spike in low/no-DNA results; vendor quality process under review",9164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d&start=9164&end=9164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d/thumbnail_9164000.jpg","/articles/6592059/Texas/State-labs-flag-QIAGEN-cartridge-problems-after-spike-in-lowno-DNA-results-vendor-quality-process-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592059-cfa1aa0c38e5b62eda11bd894165a1d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509648&Signature=n5g1JS8TlcSZz8NH4bKA8BhJJ8X9OlTfhuji2tY0q0v4w7-6BSi8nW4YfvnMQeEril-JuIYXNNEU9gZLK7N0oBuwt63i33I-Q76j-c6PgiiaiFtOTmwXpQ5EBTiY1E1S8Og0nSlYGkLPbqZpgxP4jfg5mOslRZ-A3i8CsMp64MypOFnhPj7UewLw0l9QfF5PvNARg8YWIyzyrmeLp6HD-obWd8SXmjQ~SX2YjB9jQjhkXbp7E13-rR6VHlAeD5DX~8sp0aDp~Pz2IHB5GpmvYmwCKHL7PJBeSLZTInub0JoDSkxDFU4jDh78tEh9cXWBSewW96aGfBhgtJaV0lY85A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) staff and other Texas laboratories briefed the commission on a manufacturing-quality issue affecting QIAGEN Easy-system cartridges that produced a higher-than-expected rate of low or no DNA recovery in some lots.

HFSC representatives described a cluster of unintuitive negative or low-yield results beginning in mid-2024 and a marked increase in failures in a specific lot group (identified in staff materials as \"lot F\" among several lots examined). HFSC reported that between November 2022 and May 2024 the unintuitive-negative rate was about 2.8 percent in their test population, but from June to August 2024 the rate rose to about 14 percent for samples HFSC sent for external processing. HFSC\u000092s blind-quality-control program helped identify the issue.

HFSC staff said they performed broad retesting (including 340 samples across platforms, dilution series, and recovery tests) and worked with QIAGEN\u000092s quality and manufacturing teams. QIAGEN\u000092s description of its QC process was summarized: sampling 36 cartridges (12 beginning, 12 middle, 12 end) from a large batch for a high-DNA QC target (about 4 ng). QIAGEN indicated it later changed the filling process in October 2024 (the vendor\u000092s change in how it prefills intermediate bags), and QIAGEN identified a set of cartridge lot numbers in an April customer notification as problem lots.

HFSC and other labs said the vendor\u000092s QC sampling (36 cartridges per large batch) is small relative to an 83,000-cartridge batch and that a statistically based inspection of that scale would require a larger random sample (HFSC provided an example hypergeometric calculation showing roughly 235 cartridges would be needed to detect a 1% defective rate with 95% confidence for an 83,000-item lot). Commission participants raised the concern that QIAGEN\u000092s QC used high-level DNA for its internal checks, which might not reveal dilution-sensitive failures later observed at low-input samples.

Commission staff and laboratories noted several practical implications: (1) cartridge-based systems are single-use consumables and harder for a lab to QC at the individual-cartridge level; (2) differing lot-number practices and vendor customer notifications complicate identifying impacted cases; and (3) some lots that seemed problematic in practice were not included in the vendor\u000092s initial customer notification. HFSC said it paused certain outsourced testing while investigating and has worked to identify potentially affected cases.

The commission heard that QIAGEN has engaged via meetings with its global QA staff and legal and that the vendor has provided lot-identification lists and an incident investigation. HFSC and other labs suggested improvements the vendor could make: broaden QC sample strategy (include lower-level DNA in QC runs or larger randomly sampled inspections), improve customer notifications that explicitly list affected lot numbers, and consider additional on-cartridge internal controls or pass/fail metrics.

No vote was required on the discussion item. Commissioners and lab leaders agreed to continue working with QIAGEN on root-cause analysis, to coordinate case-level identification and retesting plans where appropriate, and to share status updates with the commission. HFSC and its partners will continue to pursue retesting and case-impact assessments and to work with the vendor and accrediting bodies to finalize remedial controls and reporting practices.","Houston and other Texas labs reported an uptick in low or no DNA recoveries from QIAGEN easy-platform cartridges. The commission heard presentations from Houston Forensic Science Center staff and others describing the investigation, vendor communications, and recommended QC and reporting changes.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592062,"Forensic commission adopts guidance on THC/THCA reporting, refers related cases for review",651,2993000,3644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d&start=2993&end=3644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963448-eb90ea25411e6fe58d4726d8017cd18d/thumbnail_2993000.jpg","/articles/6592062/Texas/Forensic-commission-adopts-guidance-on-THCTHCA-reporting-refers-related-cases-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592062-db25a2226969387bbdcef8719bf289c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509648&Signature=D1sm4pPIdYzuaN1zlM1j~1PaOnaRV3I-yAsRQ3HXKmoSO-g1xAtzTuraUyEEANEtMLMhZ9x8vmL9b9qcQtv8lVTy70RUSmRy5L0sibYdbYRacvOE4sfgRHmDpxkxig6-61Ih2bBrd1lDrAu8k0QFLqDH7kR4ZOhsTvzI0xlybyETOmxrirA7nguLfgUcLMAhyKrZHqCAuapqr6LlIwUXZOD3ct3lBO-SlsNHS6ACHlEqKM3HPaVaG8JV~wJNXgdDKwgDNZx1vvUtu4lDu61nz6DDplYnCVTzTGLMi~9P3xVqoSY9I9F9jUPhutNFUuhn11NT6OpF21~ywbkXzxoHow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Forensic Science Commission on April 10 approved staff\u000092s draft report directing crime labs to change how they report results when testing non-plant products that contain THC and THCA, and the panel voted to refer related compliance cases for further review under state law.

Commission staff told members that the central problem is testing methods that convert THCA (the non-psychoactive acid form) to neutral THC during instrument analysis, producing results that cannot distinguish whether the sample contained THCA, THC, or both. The staff recommendation directs labs that use methods unable to separate THCA from THC to report results using clearer language (for example: \"contains THC and/or THCA\") and to note method limitations.

Staff emphasized the guidance covers non-plant matrices (liquids, oils, waxes) rather than plant material, and that some laboratories use liquid chromatography (LC) methods that can distinguish THCA from THC while others use gas chromatography (GC) methods that cannot. Staff said the commission\u000092s role is to ensure reporting clarity so courts and lawyers understand the limits of the method.

Commissioners discussed ongoing state legislation that could change how acid and neutral forms of cannabinoids are treated under law. Staff noted that if statutes make all intoxicating THC forms illegal, labs would not need to distinguish THCA from THC for legal purposes, but until the law is changed the reporting guidance would address current ambiguity.

The commission voted to adopt the staff draft report recommending the reporting changes; the motion carried without roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript. The commission also voted to refer the compliance case at issue and similarly affected cases to the office named in the record as the Office of Capital Prunzi Writs pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure article 38.01 section 3(h) and Texas Government Code section 78.0545 (as cited in the meeting). That referral motion also carried. The referral was described in the staff presentation as a mechanism to route case-level questions through the appropriate prosecutorial/forensic review channels.

Commission materials and staff said the immediate aims are (1) clarify lab reporting language for non-plant THC testing; (2) advise labs to indicate when their method converts THCA to THC during analysis; and (3) refer fact-specific compliance matters for additional review so laboratories and end users have consistent expectations.

Commission members directed staff to publish the guidance promptly so laboratories that paused testing (notably DPS had suspended testing according to the record) can resume with clear reporting requirements.

The commission cited administrative code authority for reopening and investigation in discussion (administrative code section 651.305(b) and 651.305(h) were referenced during the earlier complaint handling), and staff said the guidance and referrals were made under the commission\u000092s investigatory and reporting authority as discussed in the meeting.","The Texas Forensic Science Commission approved staff\u000092s draft guidance recommending clearer lab reporting language for non-plant THC testing and voted to refer related compliance cases to a post-investigation review under cited statutes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission adopts minimum blind verification requirement for firearms comparisons

Commission adopts investigative report on altered proficiency form; staff recommends disciplinary action

DPS selects vendor for statewide records portal; rules cleared for Texas Register

State labs flag QIAGEN cartridge problems after spike in low/no-DNA results; vendor quality process under review

Forensic commission adopts guidance on THC/THCA reporting, refers related cases for review