October 16, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The San Jacinto County Commissioners have unanimously agreed to enter into a
contract for the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC) to provide services to the
county’s law enforcement agency. The commissioners voted on Tuesday October 13,
2015. Under the agreement, HFSC will provide the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office
with forensic services in at least four disciplines: firearms, controlled substances, latent
prints and forensic biology. The agreement allows for the Center to provide additional
services should the need arise, including crime scene investigation.
“HFSC is delighted to provide San Jacinto with high-quality, timely scientific analysis,”
said Dr. Daniel Garner, the Center’s CEO and president. “The City of Houston sought
to create a regional crime laboratory under HFSC, and this is another step in fulfilling
that goal.”
A San Jacinto sheriff’s deputy and a prosecutor noted at the meeting that the agency
entered into a trial program with HFSC and had been pleased with the services the
Center provided. The sheriff’s office said HFSC’s fast response had helped them resolve
numerous cases and proved to be more efficient than previous forensic services
received elsewhere.
HFSC is an independent, nonprofit, local government corporation created by the City of
Houston to manage and oversee forensic services. HFSC took over management in
April 2014 of what had previously been HPD’s Crime Laboratory, Crime Scene Unit
and parts of its Identification Division. HFSC currently operates in nine disciplines and
is expanding.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ramit Plushnick-Masti
Public Information Officer
media@houstonforensicscience.org
713-929-6768
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