Government Technology - July 2008 - (Page 34)

“The HPD lab is and has been accredited for a while. A lot of the issues occurred prior to its accreditation, and they keep resurfacing.” 34 REGISTER NOW! ISM CONFERENCE “Transforming Challenges into Opportunities” an internal investigation concluded she had helped crime lab analysts pass DNA skills tests by improperly giving them test answers. Within weeks she was hired by the state Ralph Keaton, executive director, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board crime lab as DNA chief, prompting State Rep. Kevin Bailey, D-Houston, to call the just here and there. And the judges were as procedures are reviewed to assure the lab has hiring “shocking.” a quality control system in place. “We do Thompson said it was that inherent team ignorant as everybody else.” The lab now has been accredited by the an extremely thorough review,” said Ralph culture that prompted Nelson to cheat. “The American Society of Crime Laboratory Keaton, executive director of the American same kind of pressures that existed before Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board. Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Labo- existed again,” he said. “Why would this The Bromwich reports touted recent prog- ratory Accreditation Board, which accredited brand-new head of the DNA unit cover up the HPD lab. a cheating problem on proficiency tests? ress, but how much have things improved? The lab is required to do an annual assess- Because she’s under the same pressure they “It’s really not clear. It’s probably too early to tell,” said Stephen Saloom, policy direc- ment and report any instances of noncom- were under before.” Of course, crime labs across the country are tor of the Innocence Project, a nonprofit pliance. Of course, accreditation doesn’t legal clinic dedicated to exonerating the mean a lab is suddenly exempt from prob- facing DNA backlogs, are underfunded and wrongfully convicted. “I would think with lems. “The HPD lab is and has been accred- understaffed and are tied to law enforcement, appropriate leadership, staffing, training and ited for a while,” Keaton said. “A lot of the which contributes to their ineffectiveness. management, you could change the culture issues occurred prior to its accreditation, All agree a more independent model would benefit the justice system. there, but the leadership will be critical, and and they keep resurfacing.” Rios, the new lab director, “A key is good professional the follow-through.” leadership,” said Steve Hall, Accreditation is a step toward accountabil- said it takes time to change an project director of the Standity. There is a series of on-site inspections; the organization’s culture, but that Down Texas Project aimed at proficiency testing of lab workers is reviewed; change is under way, along with systemic changes to assure organizing a moratorium on quality control. executions. She added that it’s a con“An independent model stant battle to instill in employ- According to a U.S. definitely helps foster that. ees the mission and purpose of Department of Justice Anytime you have people the lab. “If you’re an indepen- report, 71 percent of essentially working where they ST dent private lab, independence state laboratories are feel like they’re on the same implies having no conflict. accredited by the Ameriteam, you’ve got the potential However, there have been can Society of Crime for a culture that turns a blind issues even at private indepen- Laboratory Directors Lab eye to problems.” dent labs,” Rios said. “There’s Accreditation Board and Thompson pointed to New 99 percent of labs of no guarantee that a member publicly funded state labs York and California as states of an independent lab won’t did proﬁciency tests or that have oversight bodies engage in dishonest behavior.” quality assurance tests. — forensic science commisFor example, the Illinois sions that oversee the state’s State Police recently canceled a contract with labs. Thompson serves on the new California one of the largest independent labs in the commission. “It’s hard to say how that’s going country because of the lab’s poor quality. to go,” he said of the California commission, One way to improve lab performance is which he said is dominated by law enforceto increase salaries, improve the quality of ment members. staff, supply more training and obtain better The New York commission is aided by equipment. Rios said all of that has been Innocence Project founders Barry Scheck done with the help of $3.4 million in grants. and Peter Neufeld as commission members. That’s at least a step in the right direction, but not one that will return the years Josiah AUGUST 24 – 27, 2008 Sutton and others lost in prison. GT W E S T I N S T. F R A N C I S , S A N F R A N C I S C O, C A L I F O R N I A In January 2008, the HPD lab’s DNA supervisor, Vanessa Nelson, resigned after ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ON-LINE REGISTRATION: WWW.APHSA-ISM.ORG JULY_08 41 ANNUAL Still More Problems http://WWW.APHSA-ISM.ORG http://WWW.APHSA-ISM.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - July 2008

Government Technology - July 2008 Point of View The Last Mile Big Picture On the Scene Four Questions for ... Generation 2.0 at Work Dangerous Convenience Tainted Justice? Are You Ready? E-Discovery Basics Smart Docs Advanced Math Online Video Blues Spectrum Personal Computing Products signal:noise

Government Technology - July 2008

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