HPD's DNA analysts mark a week on the job

After a three-and-a-half-year shutdown, the DNA secton of HPD's crime lab is marking a week of being back in business — but it's still taking things slow as it works to rebuild public confidence. The DNA lab was shut down in January 2003 after an audit showed it produced questionable results that could affect thousands of criminal cases; the lab recently got its accreditation back and is ready to roll with some extra safety measures in place. Now, all DNA examiners must have at least a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field and have to go through six months of training before they can start handling cases.

Irma Rios, the lab's assistant director, said it took longer than she expected to get things up and running again, partly because of the bad press the lab was getting: "I asked individuals 'why would you want to come and work at the Houston Police Department, we've been under fire for so long' and there were some people that were reluctant because of the intense scrutiny," she told KUHF. "But now, things have changed. The accreditation is a big plus."

Though Rios said the employees are dedicated, she acknowledged it's going to take time to rebuild public confidence in the lab. Rios said lab employees are keeping their workloads light — the dozen DNA examiners are handling between 10 and 15 cases a week — so they can focus on producing good results. The lab's accreditation will come up for renewal next year.