July 27, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The two disciplines that comprise the Houston Forensic Science Center’s Digital
Multimedia Evidence Section have been accredited by ANAB to the ISO/IEC 17025
standard. The section is primarily responsible for examining and preserving
multimedia evidence from crime scenes, including cell phones, laptops and security
camera video.
In order to achieve this level of international accreditation, the section had to write
standard operating procedures, validate instruments and software and demonstrate
they could accurately and proficiently carry out casework.
“Meeting international standards of accreditation provides our digital and audio/video
examiners with established, consistent, quality procedures for their work,” said Dr.
Peter Stout, the Center’s COO and vice president.
These forensic fields are not required to be accredited under Texas or federal law.
However, HFSC is working to have all its forensic disciplines accredited to international
standards.
HFSC is now working toward international accreditation for its Crime Scene Unit, the
Center’s only discipline that has not yet been accredited by ANAB.
HFSC is a local government corporation that provides forensic services to the City of
Houston and other local agencies. HFSC is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed
by the Mayor of Houston and confirmed by the Houston City Council. Its management
structure is designed to be responsive to a 2009 recommendation by the National
Academy of Sciences that called for crime laboratories to be independent of law
enforcement and prosecutorial branches of government.
HFSC currently has eight forensic sections.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ramit Plushnick-Masti
Public Information Officer/Director of Communications
media@houstonforensicscience.org
713-929-6768
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