March 30, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dr. Peter Stout, the Houston Forensic Science Center’s CEO and president, Erik Smith,
associate special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s
Houston Division, Houston Police Department Assistant Chief James Jones, Houston’s
Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse and James Miller, HFSC’s seized drugs
manager, will share findings of the first fentanyl identification in what was believed to
be XTC. The two will discuss the dangers of this finding for the community, especially
teenagers, as well as the 87 percent increase in fentanyl cases HFSC saw in 2020.
WHEN: 10 a.m., April 1, 2021
WHERE: 500 Jefferson St., C Level
Houston, Texas 77002
Due to pandemic restrictions, all media will be required to have their temperature
taken before entering the facility and wear masks at all times. Following the news
conference, one TV camera and one still photographer will be permitted to enter the
laboratory following as pool media.
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 operates in seven forensic disciplines.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ramit Plushnick-Masti
Director of Communications/PIO
media@houstonforensicscience.org
hfsctx.gov
713-703-4898 (cell)
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