The Texas Forensic Science Commission will meet Friday to consider changes to licensing requirements for firearms and toolmarks examiners, vote on an investigative report involving a complaint related to a death row case, and review dozens of complaints involving forensic laboratories and practitioners.
Commissioners will consider adopting a rule that would allow firearms and toolmarks examiners to qualify for a coursework waiver after three years of experience in an accredited crime laboratory instead of the current five-year requirement.
According to the commission, the proposed change reflects feedback from practitioners and laboratory managers who said the field’s specialized training and supervision provide sufficient preparation within three years. The proposal applies only to firearms and toolmarks examiners. Public comments on the rule closed July 13.
The commission also is scheduled to vote on adopting a final investigative report concerning a complaint involving the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and the Houston Forensic Science Center. According to commission meeting records, the complaint was filed by a federal public defender’s office on behalf of death row inmate Charles Mamou and concerns firearms testimony presented during his 1999 murder trial.
The report has not been released publicly. Under state law, the commission’s findings do not determine guilt or innocence and are not admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings.
Another proposed rule would establish disciplinary consequences for accredited crime laboratories that fail to participate in the state’s forensic records-sharing portal, implementing a requirement created by a 2023 state law. The portal is intended to facilitate the exchange of forensic records among participating laboratories.
The agenda also includes consideration of more than 30 complaints and laboratory self-disclosures, including several recommendations for dismissal and updates on previously accepted complaints. Acceptance of a complaint does not constitute a finding of misconduct.
Meeting Details
When: 9:00 AM CT, Friday, July 31, 2026
Where: Barbara Jordan State Office Building, 1601 Congress Ave., Room 2.035, Austin 78701
Governing body: Texas Forensic Science Commission
Format: Videoconference meeting. Past meetings are on its YouTube channel.
Full agenda: Meeting agenda, July 31, 2026 (PDF) · Commission meetings page · Secretary of State notice
Commission Members
- Dr. Jeffrey J. Barnard, Dallas — presiding officer; retired Dallas County medical examiner.
- Dr. Patrick Buzzini, Spring — forensic science professor, Sam Houston State University.
- Dr. Michael Coble, Fort Worth — director, UNT Center for Human Identification.
- Mark Daniel, J.D., Fort Worth — defense attorney; chairs the Commission’s bitemark panel.
- Dr. Jasmine Drake, Conroe — justice professor, Texas Southern University.
- Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, The Woodlands — forensic research director, Sam Houston State University.
- Dr. Stacey Mitchell, Magnolia — forensic nursing professor, Texas A&M University.
- Jarvis Parsons, J.D., Bryan — District Attorney of Brazos County.
- Erika Ziemak, M.S., Aledo — Center for Human Identification, UNT Health Science Center.
Roster: Commission members · Commission composition. All nine are appointed by the Governor to staggered two-year terms, and the Governor designates the presiding officer.