Forensic DNA and Texas Q&A

Texas State Outline

The use of forensic DNA is governed primarily by State legislation and case law and is collected and processed in State and local agencies and laboratories. This page provides or points to answers for the following questions:

Many links on this page open new windows and take you off DNA.gov. See our Link Disclaimer.

 

How much Federal funding has Texas received from the President's DNA Initiative?

Select from the list below to view the funding provided to Texas by the President's DNA Initiative:

Back to top

 

How many forensic DNA samples from Texas are in the DNA database?

The number of forensic samples in the Texas and national DNA databases is constantly changing as new crimes are investigated and changes are made to State laws that require the collection of samples from additional offenders.

The FBI tracks the Number of samples from Texas in the national database—the National DNA Index System or NDIS.

Learn more about forensic DNA databases.

Back to top

 

Where are samples collected in Texas analyzed?

State and local laboratories analyze samples collected in Texas. Some samples may be sent to private laboratories for analysis. 

State Laboratories

Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory Service
University of North Texas Health Science Center

Local Laboratories

Austin Police Department's Forensic Science Laboratory
Bexar County Criminal Investigation Laboratory
Dallas County Forensic Science Laboratory & Medical Examiners Facility
Harris County Medical Examiner: The Joseph A. Jachimczyk Forensic Center
Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory
Tarrant County ME Forensic Criminalists Laboratory
Southwest Forensic Science Center
Fort Worth Crime Laboratory

Back to top

 

Who has to submit a forensic DNA sample?

Texas statutes determine who must submit a DNA sample for inclusion in the database. Find:

Back to top

 

How many forensic DNA samples are awaiting analysis in Texas?

We are not aware of any online resource that lists the number of samples awaiting analysis in Texas.

The number of samples awaiting analysis in any State is constantly changing and affected by State statues, available resources, and crimes committed. Thus, measuring the precise number of unanalyzed DNA samples is prohibitively difficult.

Learn more about the causes and impact of the backlog of DNA evidence.

Back to top

 

What case law has affected the use of forensic DNA in Texas?

Cases decided at the State and local level set precedence for how other court decisions will be reached.

Find updated links to Texas cases pertaining to forensic DNA as collected by the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology, and the Law. 

Note: The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and Law is a free resource sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. Subscription services may provide more comprehensive collections of full-text case law.

Back to top

 

How many people from Texas have been exonerated by DNA evidence?

While there is no single online source showing everyone from Texas exonerated by DNA, the Innocence Project provides profiles of those persons they have helped exonerate (this complete list is sortable by State).

Back to top

 

Are those exonerated entitled to compensation?

State law determines if someone convicted of a crime and then exonerated is entitled to compensation.

Read a summary of Texas's compensation law as provided by the Innocence Project.  

Learn more about compensation laws in other States.

Back to top