Texas Forensic Science Commission
You may submit your information via the downloadable Lab Disclosure Form or the online form below.
The Texas Forensic Science Commission (“FSC”) is legislatively mandated to require crime laboratories that conduct forensic analyses to report professional negligence or professional misconduct to the Commission. (See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. 38.01 as amended by Tex. S.B. 1238, 83rd Leg., R.S. (2013)).
Please keep in mind that the FSC investigates matters subject to its statutory authority only. The term “forensic analysis” includes any medical, chemical, toxicological, ballistic, or other examination or test performed on physical evidence, including DNA evidence, for the purpose of determining the connection of the evidence to a criminal action. The term does not include the portion of an autopsy conducted by a medical examiner or other forensic pathologist who is a licensed physician. The term “crime laboratory” is defined in Article 38.35 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to include “a public or private laboratory or other entity that conducts a forensic analysis subject to this article.”
The FSC will examine the details of your disclosure to determine what level of review to perform, if any. All disclosures are taken seriously. Because of the complex nature and number of complaints and disclosures received by the FSC, we cannot give you any specific date by which that review may be completed. However, we aim to resolve all disclosures in a timely and expeditious manner, and to minimize disruption in the laboratory.
The Commission’s statute allows it to withhold from disclosure information submitted in the context of an investigation but only until the final report is released. Upon release of the final report, all information provided to the Commission is subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (“PIA”) (Texas Government Code Chapter 552).
IMPORTANT: If your disclosure involves a pending criminal matter(s), please be sure to indicate that on the form below because certain PIA exceptions may apply.