AUSTN, Texas—Interim Police Chief Brian Manley announced on Friday that the department is stopping all efforts to reopen its DNA lab.
The Austin Police Department voluntarily shut down the lab this summer after the Texas Forensic Science Commission found the lab was using outdated methods for DNA analysis and expired mixtures.
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Earlier in December, it was revealed that a freezer housing hundreds of DNA samples reportedly broke down in the spring and officials did not notify anyone about the issue until recently.
Victims and defense attorneys have grown particularly concerned, saying the closure of the labs is delaying the conclusion of cases. Texas Department of Public Safety stepped in to retrain the Austin Police Department’s DNA analysts on updated methods.
Manley said the department's new forensics manager will also be removed cover concerns about his academic background.
"And after reviewing his transcripts, I do not believe that he has the qualifications that I want in someone that would run the other functions of our lab that are still operation. Again we have only shutdown serology and DNA," he said.
The Austin Police Deparment now has contracts with outside labs to test DNA samples and rape kits.
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