Grand Jury: HPD Crime Lab Should Be Embarrassed

Jury Files No Charges Against Mismanaged DNA-Analysis Department

POSTED: 9:47 a.m. CDT October 17, 2003

UPDATED: 10:03 a.m. CDT October 17, 2003

HOUSTON -- A grand jury blasted the Houston Police Department's mismanaged crime lab Thursday after they said no charges would be filed.

The department shut down the DNA-analysis division of the crime lab last year after an audit found several problems, including tainted evidence.

The foreman of the grand jury, which convened for six months, said Thursday that while nothing at the lab rose to the level of criminal wrongdoing, the city should be embarrassed and disgraced by what went on.

A grand jury member said the crime lab was mismanaged, incompetent and lacked a sterile work environment.

The Houston Police Department released a statement Thursday that said, "The Houston Police Department has made several organizational modifications and has taken appropriate disciplinary action to correct inadequacies. The department is continuing to work diligently to move the Crime Lab to national accreditation."

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