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Texas Has a Real Problem with Forensic Testing Accountability

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer, Texas Blood Draw, Texas Forensics

Texas Has a Real Problem with Forensic Testing Accountability

An El Paso Texas Department of Public Safety forensic analyst faked 22 blood results and the Texas Forensic Commission finds she was negligent. Faking blood results is not mere negligence. It is criminal and can ruin the lives of many. Let’s break this situation down to clarify the issue . . .

What went wrong?

A Texas Department of Public Safety forensic analyst, Ana Lilia Romero, had 22 blood samples to retest. Instead, she did a cut and paste job of the earlier test results. This is criminal misconduct, no mere negligence. Negligence occurs, for example, when you accidentally forget to record the storage room refrigerator temperature because you were in a hurry. Criminal Misconduct is reporting results for 22 tests that you did not perform.

Why not count the first lab results?

Well, protocol required that she retest the 22 blood samples because of equipment failure. Equipment failure is, obviously, a serious issue that can affect the results of a blood test.

Who would actually go so far as to fake lab results?

The general population would tell you that no one would. Many of these same people would also tell you that if anyone ever did, the lab should fire them. Well, this pattern of criminal misconduct exists at the Texas Department of Public Safety. This is not the first time Texas DPS caught an analyst faking results or “dry labbing”. The Department did not fire the previous analyst, nor did they fire Ms. Romero (she resigned). Though accidents do happen, the important thing is to catch the mistake and fix it. Questions arose as to this analyst’s truthfulness when questioned about the incident under oath in a court of law. Texas DPS decided to reassign this analyst to a different lab rather than have him continue to do blood tests in the Texas DPS Garland laboratory.

What should happen after finding misconduct in forensic testing?

When this happens in other states, the district attorney notifies all affected people (tests run by the same analyst). Often, due to the malfeasance and lack of trustworthiness in the analyst’s work, a district attorney will choose to throw out the former tests.

What is happening in Texas?

The fact that the Texas Forensic Science Commission chose to find negligence, rather than misconduct, indicates that it is not willing to stop protecting its wrongdoers. The Commission exists to protect the citizens of Texas, not wrongdoers. https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/26/texas-forensic-science-commission-backs- finding-professional-negligence-el-paso-blood-alcohol-test/2121471001/

More about Mimi Coffey

When people look for a Top DWI Attorney or Best DWI Attorney, they look for experience, certification, and respect in the legal community. Mimi Coffey is a nationally-renowned trial attorney, board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. She has been practicing for over 24 years and is an author of multiple DWI Defense textbooks. She is also a national and state-wide lecturer on the law.

The Coffey Firm handles a wide variety of cases, including Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW), Assault (including family violence), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, She is also involved in the Texas Tech School of Law foundation and enjoys using the skills she has developed to give back to the community.