Are the accusations by former DNA analyst Cecily Hamilton well founded, or just the parting jabs of a disgruntled ex-employee? At this point there is no way to know for sure.
Kudos to the City of Austin, for working with the defense community in finding agreeable outside experts to investigate the matter.
Authorities said Wednesday that they will hire an outside expert to review the operations of the Austin police DNA lab after a former employee raised numerous concerns, including the quality of testing, that could impact thousands of criminal cases.
Travis County prosecutors also began notifying hundreds of defense attorneys about the allegations by former DNA analyst Cecily Hamilton, which included allowing workers to perform tests they are not capable of doing, documents show.
Prosecutors are still seeking to confirm the number of affected cases — they think it could reach 2,000 — and how many have been resolved or are pending.
“We have work to do, but we are doing it as quickly as possible and as thoroughly as possible,” District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg said. “Anytime an allegation is made concerning the integrity of evidence in either a present case or a past case, we are required by law to turn that evidence over to the defense and let them see it and use it as they see fit.”
Lehmberg and Police Chief Art Acevedo said they remain confident in the work of the Austin police crime lab. They said Hamilton’s allegations were reviewed internally this spring and that her complaints were deemed unfounded.
Authorities were still trying Wednesday to determine who to hire for the independent review but hope to made a decision this week. They have sought names of candidates from defense attorneys, including those who specialize in forensic evidence.
Acevedo also said that the crime lab has recently undergone reviews by the FBI and the American Society of Crime Lab Directors. Both found no deficiencies.
Read more on the Statesman.com.
