PSC Back Up - #3b - Forensics Dept under APD or removed from APD — original pdf
Backup
Forensic Services • The Austin Forensic Science Bureau is comprised of; • Five analytical sections accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (Certification # FT-0325) and the Texas Forensic Science Commission, including; • Crime Scene • Latent Prints • Firearms & Toolmarks • Toxicology • Seized Drugs • Five forensic support units including Quality Assurance, Case Management, Multi-Media, Polygraph, and Evidence Management/Control The Austin Forensic Science Bureau Laboratory Facility at 812 Springdale Road • In FY20, Forensics responded to more than 4,200 crime scene calls, processed nearly 12,000 forensic analysis requests, and managed over 1,000,000 items of forensic evidence and property • The FY22 $12.6million Forensic operating budget funds 86.75 highly-skilled, educated, and extensively trained forensic professional FTEs • Consistent with HB 1900, the FY22 Forensic operating budget remains under the Austin Police Department Forensic Services The Austin Forensic Science Bureau Laboratory Facility at 812 Springdale Road • City Council approved ordinance No. 20210204-032 which authorized the City Manager to create an independent Forensic department • Identified critical path steps necessary to transition the Forensic Science Bureau into an independent department • Established agreements to maintain information systems access: Management Control Agreement (MCA) to establish and enforce security control of CJIS under the authority of a Criminal Justice Agency (APD); CABIS (finger/palm print database) Interlocal Agreement; Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System Access Agreement; Public Safety Radio System MOU; and Electronic Data Access MOU • City Manager’s Office updated forensic director reporting structure to include reporting to the ACM of Public Safety (July 26th, 2021 MMAC) • The Forensic Science Bureau is ready to transition to an independent department as deemed appropriate in accordance with State law