Texas Crime Lab Errors Lead To Massive Retesting

Crime lab employee make many mistakes reviewing evidence

Harris County in Texas is already known as having one the largest prison systems in the country. We may have more insight into why.

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It has been revealed that evidence in hundreds of drug cases will be retested because of questions that have arisen about a crime lab analyst who did the original testing. The forensic scientist in question is named Jonathan Salvador and he has worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety lab since 2006, testing evidence in 6,000 cases across the region. 

While lips are still sealed on what errors Salvador allegedly made, how they happened or if they were intentional or not, the DPS promises an internal investigation regarding this matter is continuing, and DPS is taking additional steps to prevent any such occurrence in the future.

Former defendants and attorneys affected by the botched tests have been notified about possible problems down the road. Houston's defense lawyers have made requests to see a list of cases that could be altered, especially in neighboring counties with other district attorneys.

The retesting itself could lead to an even bigger mess as drug evidence is usually disposed of after the case.

[Also Read: Wrongfully Convicted Men In Texas Fight Back]