How the city of Houston’s crime lab went from being arguably the worst in the nation to one of the best will be discussed by Nicole Cásarez, board chair of the Houston Forensic Science Center, at 4 p.m. on March 3 at Salem.
Cásarez, who is a professor of communication at the University of St. Thomas, has served on the board of directors of the independent crime lab since before it was removed from the Houston Police Department’s control in 2014.
“Since becoming an independent lab, the HFSC has reduced backlogs and become much more transparent and efficient,” Cásarez said.
Cásarez will discuss the HFSC’s achievements, including its recently approved move out of the HPD building, as well as the lab’s challenges. Ramit Plushnick-Masti, HFSC communications director, will be available for questions.
“The Role of Science in Justice: Houston’s Forensic Science Center” is part of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Mercy and Justice speaker series. The event is free and open to the public, with a dessert reception to follow. To attend, please RSVP to the office, or call 713 723-3509.
