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Houston Forensic Science Center
Houston Forensic Science Center
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Firearms
Examining cartridges and bullet casings to match them to a firearm
Seized Drugs
Testing suspected drugs to determine their legality
Crime Scene
Identifying, documenting, collecting and interpreting crime scene evidence.
Digital and Multimedia
Encompassing the recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices.
Forensic Biology
Analyzing biological specimens, such as blood and semen, for DNA.
Latent Prints
Processing evidence for fingerprints and comparing prints for identification
Toxicology
Analyzing blood and urine for alcohol and drugs.
Welcome to the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC)
HFSC is an independent local government corporation that provides forensic services to the City of Houston’s law enforcement agency, the Houston Police Department. HFSC welcomes you to explore our forensic services, learn more about what we do, investigate employment opportunities or contact us.
Next Board Meeting
May 8, 2026
Details
HFSC Discovery Portal
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Post-Conviction Requests
Details
HFSC at a Glance
AVERAGE Time to Report Common Requests
1,2
(Updated: 3/30/2026)
Priority assignment for cases is determined in collaboration with other stakeholders and weighing the risks and benefits for that
request with other pending requests. R
equests for prioritization can be made in the Request Portal.
Times reflect typical expected time from request to report for cases that do not have a court date, investigative priority, urgent public safety risk.
Seized Drugs
In-Jail Cases:
28
days
Marijuana Cases:
152
days
Other Cases:
137
Days
Toxicology
Blood Alcohol Only:
47 days
Alcohol & Drug Cases:
300
days
DNA
Sexual Assault Kits (SAK):
81
days
Firearm Examinations
Comparison Cases:
382
days
Latent Prints
Comparison Cases:
49
days
Cell Phones
Homicide With Phone Unlocked
7 days
If unlocking is needed, time will vary greatly.
Reports
February 2026 Operations Report
January 2026 Operations Report
December 2025 Operations Report
Additional Operations Report can be found in
Meeting Document
under
Board Meetings
HFSC Newsletters
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Join Our Team
Request Outreach
Opportunities
HFSC Executive Team
Peter Stout
CEO/President
Amy Castillo, PH.D.
COO/Vice President
Ashley Henry
Crime Scene Unit Senior Manager
Preshious Rearden, PH.D.
Director of Research, Technology, and Development
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NEWS FROM THE HOUSTON FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston City Council recently appointed Scott Durfee as HFSC's newest member of its board of directors. Please join us in welcoming Director Durfee to HFSC!