AUSTIN DNA LAB: POLICE CHIEF EXPRESSES "ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE" IN DNA LAB WHICH IS BEING AUDITED AS A RESULT OF ALLEGATIONS MADE BY FORMER DNA ANALYST

"APD officials said they've conducted their own investigation and concluded the accusations are unfounded.

"We have absolute confidence in our DNA lab and in the professionalism of the men and women currently employed by the Austin Police Department in the forensic science division," APD Chief Art Acevedo said."

NEWS 8;

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"The Austin Police Department crime lab is being audited amid allegations made by a former DNA analyst," the NEWS 8 story published on July 9, 2010 begins, under the heading, "Austin police respond to allegations lodged against DNA lab."

"Thursday, Police Chief Art Acevedo and Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg stood side by side and answered questions about former DNA analyst Cecily Hamilton's allegations of the crime lab in East Austin," the story continues.

"Hamilton resigned her position with the city after filing 40 documented complaints. Those complaints included allegations such as retaliation, working in a hostile work environment and nepotism.

A more serious allegation of cheating on a forensic test by a DNA scientist is also outlined in the memo.

APD officials said they've conducted their own investigation and concluded the accusations are unfounded.

"We have absolute confidence in our DNA lab and in the professionalism of the men and women currently employed by the Austin Police Department in the forensic science division," APD Chief Art Acevedo said.

By law, however, Lehmberg gave the order to dozens of prosecutors to inform anyone affected by the crime lab allegations.

"I've instructed my staff to get with Miss Hamilton, who made these allegations, and to thoroughly debrief her on our own. [It’s] completely independent of the Austin Police Department," Lehmberg said.

City leaders say the FBI and the American Society of Crime Lab Directors conducted their own audits and gave the lab a positive review.

"At this time it is important for the public to know that the auditors were informed of the allegations by Miss Hamilton and they did not find any negative findings,” Acevedo said.

Lehmberg also defended the integrity of the crime lab.

If the allegations by Hamilton prove true, as many as 2,000 cases could be affected.

The DA's office has yet to determine who will conduct the audit of the DNA laboratory."

The story can be found at:

http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/272329/austin-police-respond-to-allegations-lodged-against-dna-lab

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:

http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;