Texas Forensic Science Commission Forensic Laboratories
The information in this section of the Commission’s database includes information about the status (historical and current) of a crime laboratory’s accreditation with the Commission. The Code of Criminal Procedure prohibits forensic analysis from being admitted into evidence in a criminal action if the crime laboratory or entity conducting the analysis was not accredited at the time the analysis was performed. The term “crime laboratory” includes public and private laboratories and any entity that conducts a forensic analysis subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.
Pursuant to its accreditation authority, the Commission recognizes two national accrediting bodies— ANSI National Accreditation Board and
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. Laboratories accredited by one of these recognized accrediting bodies are eligible for accreditation by the Commission.
| RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING BODIES | FORENSIC DISCIPLINES SUBJECT TO ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS |
|---|---|
| ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), including for the administration of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology |
Forensic Biology/DNA Firearms/Toolmarks Seized Drugs Toxicology Materials (Trace) |
| American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) |
Forensic Biology/DNA Firearms/Toolmarks Seized Drugs Toxicology Materials (Trace) |
The Commission requires crime laboratories to report all communications between a laboratory and its national accrediting body, including copies of each annual accreditation renewal report or audit. The Commission also establishes standards related to timely production of forensic analysis, validate or approve specific forensic methods or methodologies, and establish procedures, policies and practices to improve the quality of forensic analysis.
FEDERAL FORENSIC LABORATORIES: Federal forensic laboratories are deemed to be accredited by the Commission without application provided that the laboratory is accredited by a recognized accrediting body as provided under §651.4 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to List of Recognized Accrediting Bodies). A laboratory deemed accredited is not subject to the reporting requirements by the Commission or the Commission’s processes related to complaints, review or administrative action and therefore not listed in this database. See Texas Administrative Code §651.8(e).