The Quarterly Commission Meeting of the Criminal Court of Appeals (CCA) in Texas convened on July 25, 2025, to address several significant complaints and procedural matters related to DNA analysis and evidence handling.

The meeting began with a motion to dismiss complaint 25.29, filed by a defense attorney on behalf of a death penalty defendant. This complaint alleged evidence tampering by Ron Smith and Associates and the Houston Forensic Science Center, claiming issues with DNA analysis spanning over a decade. The motion to dismiss was approved unanimously after a brief discussion regarding the extensive evidence involved, which included over 2,500 items related to multiple murders.

Following this, the commission addressed complaint 25.40, concerning Blaine Milam, convicted of capital murder in 2010. The complaint highlighted concerns about DNA mixture interpretations conducted by SWIS, which lacked validated stochastic thresholds at the time. A response from SWIS acknowledged the need for reinterpretation of the DNA measures. The staff recommended dismissing the complaint, noting that SWIS would take responsibility for the necessary recalculations. The motion to dismiss was also carried unanimously.

The next item involved a complaint regarding the alleged mishandling of DNA information and remains. The staff recommended dismissal of this complaint as it fell outside the judicial jurisdiction. The commission agreed, and the motion to dismiss was passed without opposition.

The meeting concluded with a report on the crime laboratory accreditation program, summarizing that the commission considered 13 accreditation-related events during the quarter. This segment highlighted the ongoing efforts to maintain high standards in forensic analysis.

Overall, the meeting focused on addressing complaints related to DNA analysis and evidence handling, with all motions to dismiss being approved, reflecting the commission's commitment to procedural integrity and oversight in forensic practices.