Results of Investigation Into APD DNA Crime Lab to Be Released

Following a 25 page formal complaint against the APD DNA lab, the results of a full investigation are expected to be announced Tuesday morning.

The complaint was written by former lab employee Cecily Hamilton, who outlined quality assurance and personnel issues, that she claimed existed within the lab.  Her report is titled "Critical Issues Within the APD DNA Laboratory.

Austin Police Department investigators conducted an internal investigation.  The results turned out to be unfounded according to that investigation on March 22, 2010.  But an external review was ordered by APD and turned over to the Texas Rangers.  The results will be released Tuesday morning.

The initial complaint came as a surprise to leaders at the police department and begged questions of the number of cases tried inside the Travis County Courthouse that might need to be retried due to potential evidence contamination.  Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg spoke about the complaint earlier this year along with Chief Acevedo.  At the time, Lehmberg did not believe there to be a substantial amount of cases that would need to be brought back into court.
 
Tuesday morning, APD and the Travis County District Attorney's office will announce the findings by DPS.  Those results will be posted to ACS as soon as the information becomes available.  (Top Photo: Statesman.com; Bottom Photos: News 8 Austin)