Houston forensic center details plan to take long‑term evidence storage, warns firearms backlog remains

Dr. Peter Stout, who introduced himself as the head of HFSC’s laboratory, told the council the center is actively transitioning long‑term evidentiary property from the Houston Police Department to HFSC to improve documentation, storage and long‑term stewardship.

Stout said the transfer will be staged: HFSC has finished construction work at a Jefferson facility and begun moving tens of thousands of long‑term items into new frozen and dry storage; HPD will retain custody and legal authority to make disposition decisions while HFSC will manage intake, preservation and specialist handling. "The idea is to take the intake and preservation components of property and move [them] at HFSC," Stout said.

Why it matters: Stout argued separating intake and long‑term storage from HPD workstreams will reduce risk, improve consistency across investigations and aid courtroom readiness by standardizing how evidence is collected, packaged and preserved.

Backlogs and staffing: HFSC reported major progress on several fronts. Stout said biology backlogs are nearly eliminated and forensic sexual‑assault kits are largely being processed within the state‑mandated 90‑day target. Seized‑drug turnaround worsened after changes in state hemp and marijuana law but is improving, he said. "Firearms is the single biggest pain point in the system," Stout said, noting a nationwide shortage of firearms examiners and a long training arc for new hires.

Amy Castillo, HFSC’s chief operations officer, told the council HFSC is recruiting seven firearms analysts, including two experienced hires who could significantly shorten training times. She said HFSC currently has five staff doing firearms comparisons but only two who are full‑time examiners.

Budget and scenarios: Stout reported HFSC’s board passed a budget the board characterized as roughly $38.8 million. He said HFSC expects to spend about $37 million this year to process roughly 22,000 requests, equating to about $1,600 per request. "At $1,600 per request, backlogs are getting managed," he said, while adding that a flat budget would force HFSC to cut outsourcing and likely increase wait times. Stout said an additional $1.4 million above current plans would allow HFSC to better address toxicology needs and accelerate reductions in some backlogs.

Technology and accreditation: HFSC showed new tools already in place or coming online: upgraded three‑dimensional crime‑scene mapping to help investigators visualize scenes; two rapid‑DNA analyzers that the laboratory expects to use for reference swaps after a scope expansion to its accreditation in May and broader evidentiary use following validation (Stout said evidentiary rapid‑DNA work is likely in early 2027 as statewide rules and validations are completed); and liquid chromatography–QTOF instruments for improved toxicology and seized‑drug identification.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked HFSC staff for the improvements and pressed on training timelines and outsourcing policy. HFSC said it coordinates weekly with the district attorney’s office and HPD to prioritize cases and uses outsourcing selectively (including a contract with a Tarrant County lab) where capacity allows. The committee was invited to view a mock crime‑scene demonstration after the meeting.

What’s next: HFSC plans to continue staged transfers of long‑term property (targeted for further staff additions in FY27 and FY28), finish policy work with HPD on interlocal agreements and finalize accreditation scope changes that enable new rapid‑DNA operations. Funding decisions by the council will determine whether HFSC keeps current outsourcing capacity or faces rising backlogs.

Sources: Presentation and answers from Dr. Peter Stout and Amy Castillo of the Houston Forensic Science Center.