HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE SERVICE. OF FORENSIC SCIENCES INTEGRITY. i-Il- The MISSION of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity. Accreditations Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education American Board of Forensic Toxicology American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/ Laboratory Accreditation Board-International ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (Forensic Anthropology) National Association of Medical Examiners Texas Forensic Science Commission Texas Medical Association for the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education 3 Medical Examiner Service Has the statutory duty to determine cause and manner of death Statistical Summary  Harris County (HC) remains the third most populous county in the nation, exceeded by Los Angeles and Cook counties • • • • • • • 4.5+ million estimated HC population in 2016* 29,288 HC death certificates filed in 2016** 39% (11,289) of HC deaths reported to HCIFS in 2016 4,870 medicolegal (ML) cases received by HCIFS for examination 6,204 inquest only cases reported 215 trauma inquest cases reported 2,688 scenes attended by Forensic Investigators  5,169 deaths were certified in 2016, including: • • • 4,870 Harris County ML cases (all brought to HCIFS for examination) 215 trauma inquests 84 out-of-county cases * Population estimate for 2016 obtained from the US Census Bureau ** Provisional Death Certificate data from the Texas Department of State Health Services Annual Report 2016 5 Statistical Summary  82% of ML cases (4,015) received a full autopsy* • 18% of ML cases (855) received an external examination only  254 decedents unidentified on arrival • 8 decedents remained unidentified at the end of 2016  224 referrals to Harris County Bereavement Services  180 formal neuropathological consults and 200 unofficial consults** • 12 child abuse consults  1 anthropological exhumation performed (Exhumation of long-term unidentified decedents)  No hospital autopsies retained * Partial autopsies are not performed by the HCIFS ** Unofficial consults include gross, photo and microscopic consults Annual Report 2016 6 Total Caseload (2014-2016) 5,000 4,500 4,272 4,644 2014 2015 2016 4,870* 4,000 3,518 3,939 4,015 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 754 1,000 705 855 500 0 Total ML Cases Autopsies Externals *4% increase compare with 2015 and 27% increase compare with 2011 Annual Report 2016 7 Monthly ML Caseload 2016 December November October 380 367 398 396 September August Cases Received per Month July June May April 404 382 March February Annual Report 2016 471 440 419 381 403 January 0 429 100 200 300 400 500 8 Average Daily Medicolegal Caseload 2016: 13.4 cases 2015: 12.7 cases 2014: 11.7 cases Months with Highest Average Daily Caseload: Months with Lowest Average Daily Caseload: 2016 2016 July: 15.2 cases October: 11.8 cases 2015 2015 July: 13.7 cases September: 11.3 cases 2014 2014 April: 12.4 cases Annual Report 2016 July: 10.8 cases 9 Manner of Death Autopsy and External Exams 11% 10% <1% 3% N=4,868 Natural: 1,963 40% Accident: 1,746 Suicide: 511 Homicide: 478 36% Annual Report 2016 Undetermined: 153 Fetal: 17 10 Manner of Death Filtered by Autopsy and External Examinations Autopsy Examinations External Examinations 4% <1% 1% <1% <1% 12% 12% 40% 43% 55% 32% N=4,011 Natural: 1,595 Suicide: 503 Undetermined: 151 Annual Report 2016 N=855 Accident: 1,277 Homicide: 477 Fetal: 8 Accident: 469 Fetal: 9 Undetermined: 2 Natural: 367 Suicide: 8 11 Manner of Death Stratified by Sex 1,400 1,345 1,262 1,200 N=4,848 Male Female 1,000 800 600 618 400 200 484 391 87 Sex is unknown in 4 cases 391 120 91 59 0 Annual Report 2016 12 Race/Ethnicity Components of ML cases 4% 24% N=4,856 46% 26% White: 2,238 Black: 1,275 Hispanic: 1,154 Other: 189* Race/Ethnicity is unknown in 14 cases * Other is composed of Native American (2) and Asian (187) Annual Report 2016 13 Race/Ethnicity Case Demographic Data HCIFS Compared to Population HCIFS Decedent Population* Houston City Population** 7% 4% 24% 26% 24% 46% 43% Harris County Population*** 26% 8% 32% 18% White Black Hispanic Other 42% * HCIFS decedent population, N=4,856, excludes unknown race/ethnicity ** City of Houston population, N=2,127, estimated by Statistical Atlas *** Harris County population, N=4,589,928, estimated by Texas DSHS Center for Health Statistics Annual Report 2016 14 ML Cases by Manner and Race/Ethnicity 967 1,000 900 800 840 N=4,840 700 600 500 400 484 White: 2,229 559 Black: 1,272 364 359 300 200 100 63 0 Annual Report 2016 72 Hispanic: 1,151 286 128 64 32 Other: 188 235 87 142 13 Excludes 14 individuals of unknown race/ethnicity 4955 33 8 15 Infant/Fetal Deaths The birth count for Harris county is estimated to be 78,046 for 2016 10% 4% (Data provided by Texas Department of State Health Services)  127 infant/fetal death cases 13% 43% (aged less than 1 year)  54 cases of Undetermined Manner • 35 were classified as Undetermined (co-sleeping)*  The cause of death in 20 of the 38 infant deaths with a natural manner was SIDS 30% N=127 Undetermined: 54 Fetal: 17 Homicide: 5 Natural: 38 Accident: 13 * “Undetermined (co-sleeping)” are cases with no anatomic findings to indicate a cause of death, toxicological cause of death, or suspicion of foul play by investigation, but were co-sleeping with another individual at the time of their demise. These cases would otherwise be classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) but for the possibility of overlay. Therefore, the cause of death in this subset of cases was classified as “undetermined (co-sleeping).” 16 ML Cases Age Categories Represented By Proportion N=4,860 23% 3% <1 Year: 127 1-17 Years: 160 18-39 Years: 1,255 40-64 Years: 2,195 65+ Years: 1,123 3% 10 individuals were of undetermined age 45% Annual Report 2016 26% 17 Homicide Case Volume 600 528 488 500 Number of Cases 400 505 458 480 429 400 354 412 478* 387 300 200 100 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 * Similar compared with 2015; a 35% increase compared with 2011 Annual Report 2016 18 Homicides Stratified by Injury Zip 9% 5% 5% 4% 6% 22% 11% N=478 20% 18% Annual Report 2016 Precinct 5 Precinct 1 Precinct 7 Precinct 4 Precinct 3 Precinct 2 Precinct 6 Precinct 8 Out of Harris County 19 Cause of Death in Homicide Cases  61 cases were linked to at least one other ML case (e.g. double murder, murder suicide, etc.) • Similar to number of total homicide cases in 2015  At least 32 homicide cases are associated with domestic violence  8 homicide deaths occurred “while at work” 9% 1% 3% N=478 Firearm: 371 Sharp Trauma: 53 Blunt Trauma: 46 Asphyxia/Strangulation: 4 Other: 14* 11% 76% Cases with multiple causes of death include firearm/blunt-force trauma (4), blunt-/sharp-force trauma (4) and strangulation/blunt trauma (1). * Other causes include the use of drugs, thermal injuries and drowning Annual Report 2016 20 Homicide Deaths by Firearms 376 372 400 279 350 300 250 196 181 180 191 141 200 150 100 138 50 0 2014 2015 Multiple Firearm Wounds Annual Report 2016 2016 Single Firearm Wound 21 Homicide Deaths Stratified by Demographic Category Race/Ethnicity Sex N=477 N=478 18% 18% 82% 30% Male: 390 Annual Report 2016 Female: 73 Black: 235 White: 87 3% 49% Hispanic:142 Asian: 13 22 Homicide Deaths by Race/Ethnicity Harris County and the City of Houston Harris County City of Houston 13% Outside of Houston 3% 3% 36% 40% 51% 33% 21% N=373* N=91 Black Hispanic White Asian N=91 * 373 homicide cases were attributed to injury locations within the City of Houston based on the address of the place of injury and law enforcement case jurisdiction Annual Report 2016 23 Homicide Deaths by Age Category 4% 26% N=478 < 18 years: 36 18-39 years: 299 7% 40-64 years: 125 65+ years: 17 63% Annual Report 2016 24 Demographic Data for Accidental Death  17% overall increase in accidental death cases in 2016 compared to 2015: • • • • MVC: +13% Drowning: +26% Non-MVC Blunt-Force Trauma: +20% Drug Toxicity: +21%  Highest proportion (42%) of accidental death occurs in the age group of 40-64 years  Highest proportion (48%) of accidental deaths occur among White individuals  The male to female accidental death ratio is 2.5 to 1 Annual Report 2016 25 Accidental Death Case Volume 1,800 1,600 1,590 1,748 1,620 1,567 1,400 1,747* 1,512 1,567 1,464 1,498 1,417 1,424 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year * Compared to 2015, 17% increase, and compared to 2011, 23% increase in Accidental Death case volume Annual Report 2016 26 Most Common Causes of Accidental Death N=1,747 4% 3% 1% 7% 32% 21% Motor Vehicle: 555 Drug Toxicity: 554 Non-MVC Blunt Trauma: 366 Drowning: 73 Asphyxia: 43 Fire/Thermal: 25 Other: 130* 32% * Other includes firearm injuries, sharp force injuries, hyperthermia, hypothermia, and therapeutic complications Annual Report 2016 27 Suicide Case Demographics  Male to female ratio is 3.25 to 1  Age range is 10 to 93 years  The majority (56%) of suicide cases occur among White individuals  Number of companion Suicide/Homicide cases: • • • • Annual Report 2016 2013: 5 2014: 5 2015: 15 2016: 11 28 Suicide Case Volume 600 500 400 425 455 484 361 441 457 441 449 486 511* 360 300 200 100 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 * Compared to 2015, 5% increase, and compared to 2011, 16% increase in Suicide case volume Annual Report 2016 29 Causes of Death in Suicides 11% 9% 56% 24% N= 511 Firearm: 285 Hanging: 122 Toxicity: 57 Other: 47* * Other category contains: Blunt Force Trauma (17), Asphyxiation-not due to hanging (11), Sharp Force (10), Thermal (5) and Drowning (4) Annual Report 2016 30 Suicide Cases Stratified by Sex & Race/Ethnicity 207 White 79 107 Hispanic Black Asian 0% Annual Report 2016 20% 21 50 14 26 6 40% 60% 80% N=550 Male Female 100% 31 Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC) Death Cases  MVC fatalities include 22 children aged 7 months to 12 years 27% N=555  6 children were pedestrians, 15 months to 5 years of age 22% 51%  18% of driver fatalities (51) were under 25 years of age  27 stranded motorists were hit while stopped Annual Report 2016 N=555 Driver: 283 Passenger or Unknown Position: 121 Pedestrian: 151 32 MVC Sex and Age Distributions Driver Sex Distribution The youngest driver fatality was 15; the oldest 88 The youngest driver fatality was 15; the oldest 88 20% 80% Sex Distribution all MVC 26% Proportion of drivers who were teens or senior citizens 74% 4% N=283 Drivers N=283 Male Drivers: 225 Female Drivers: 58 Annual Report 2016 11% N=283 N=555N=555 Males: 408 Females: 147 85% N=283 Drivers 16 to 19 years: 11 65+ years: 31 Other Ages: 241 33 Most Frequent Substances Listed in Cause of Death 350 N=626 311 Opiates/Opioids Cocaine Benzodiazepines Ethanol Amphetamine/Meth Carisoprodol Acetaminophen 300 236 250 209 200 146 150 121 100 50 25 15 These data do not reflect discrete cases because drugs may be combined within a case 0 Annual Report 2016 34 Opiates/Opioids Listed in Cause of Death 100 97 N=311 90 80 72 70 60 50 34 40 30 20 10 0 Annual Report 2016 26 26 23 22 Heroin Hydrocodone Methadone Codeine Fentanyl Oxycodone Morphine These data do not reflect discrete cases because drugs may be combined within a case 35 Hydrocodone, Heroin and Fentanyl in Cause of Death 250 200 150 100 50 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Hydrocodone Annual Report 2016 Heroin Fentanyl and Analogs 36 Accidental Drowning  65 total cases of Accidental Drowning in 2016 (Excludes cases of submerged vehicles)  Age range is 8 months to 87 years • Includes 23 young children aged 8 months to 7 years; more than double the cases compared with 2015 • 54 of the drowning cases are males compared to 11 female drowning cases Annual Report 2016 37 Accidental Drowning Case Demographics Type of Water Race/Ethnicity 35 25 31 30 20 25 18 20 15 15 15 21 17 16 10 6 10 5 5 1 0 N=65 White Hispanic Annual Report 2016 Black 5 0 Asian N=65 Residential Pool Bath Tub Ditch/Residential Basin Natural Water Community Pool 38 Manner of Death in Children (Aged 0-17 Years) 23% 13% 12% 29% 23% N = 269 Annual Report 2016 Accident: 78 Undetermined: 61 Natural: 62 Homicide: 36 Suicide: 32 39 Toddler Deaths (Aged 1-4 Years) Injury Deaths Include:  4 toddlers died in MVC as passengers 16% 6% 17%  9 toddlers drowned in accidents  8 Homicide cases • 4 males • 4 females Annual Report 2016 61% N=51 Accident: 31 Natural: 9 Homicide: 8 Undetermined: 3 40 Top Five Injury Deaths of Children (Aged 0-17 Years) 9% 12% 25% 12% 21% N = 131 21% Annual Report 2016 Firearm wounds: 33 Drowning: 27 MVC: 27 Blunt force injury, not MVC: 16 Hanging: 16 Asphyxia: 12 41 Homicide Deaths of Children (Aged 0-17 Years) 12 10 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 Blunt Force Annual Report 2016 2 3 1 2 Sharp Force Drowning Age: 0-4 Age: 5-14 2 3 Firearm 1 Toxicity Age: 15-17 42 “While at Work” Deaths 200 156 138 138 150 100 69 68 78 69 70 78 2014 2015 2016 50 0 Non-Natural Annual Report 2016 Natural Total 43 Death During Police Intervention* 25 21 20 20 N=67 13 15 10 10 3 5 Natural Homicide Suicide Accident Undetermined 0 * These include deaths in which the circumstances of the death place the decedent in either direct or indirect contact with law enforcement such as incarceration, apprehension and pursuit. This category of deaths is not limited to police shootings, arrest-related deaths, apprehension deaths or in-custody deaths. Annual Report 2016 44 Most Frequent Causes of Natural Death 1,297 1,963 Natural Deaths in 2016 Hypertensive Cardiovascular 1,060 Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diabetes Mellitus Obesity Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Ethanolism Other forms of cardiac death 314 Annual Report 2016 298 183 174 These data do not reflect discrete cases because diseases may be combined within a case 100 45 Diabetes and Obesity  For 344 decedents, diabetes mellitus was listed in the primary cause (90) or the contributing cause (256) of death • 72% were either overweight or obese (Body Mass Index, BMI = 25+)  BMI was calculated for 4,332 decedents aged 13 years or older, at least 60” tall and weighing at least 100 pounds: • 1,528 (35%) were obese with a BMI of 30 or greater • 1,274 (30%) were overweight with a BMI between 25 and 29 • The greatest BMI was 93 (828 lbs./80” tall) • 26 decedents weighing more than 400 lbs. • 1,530 (35%) decedents were of normal weight or underweight 46 Organ & Tissue Donation Summary  HCIFS maintains agreements with: • LifeGift • Lions Eye Bank of Texas at Baylor College of Medicine • Biograft Transplant Services  522 ML cases were released in 2016 for organ and/or tissue donation Annual Report 2016 47 Forensic Anthropology Staffed by five doctoral-level forensic anthropologists, four of whom are certified as Diplomates by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology 2016 case work:  229 total cases received with written reports provided  104 autopsy consultations without written reports  13 skeletal cases examined  26 death scenes with skeletal recovery  29 cases of remains determined to be non-human Annual Report 2016 48 Forensic Entomology Staffed by a board-certified, doctorallevel Forensic Entomologist • Reports are peer-reviewed by external doctoral-level entomologists from three major academic institutions. 2016 Casework: • 66 Cases • 43 Scene Collection • 19 Autopsy Collections • 3 Scene and Autopsy Collections Annual Report 2016 49 Forensic Entomology by Manner of Death 35 33 30 2930 25 Number of Cases 20 15 10 5 1212 13 11 7 8 9 5 1 7 6 2014 2015 2016 3 0 Annual Report 2016 50 ML Cases with Entomology Reports 2014-2016 10 9 9 9 8 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 6 5 5 5 3 55 5 4 33 2 2 3 8 77 6 9 7 6 5 4 3 4 6 6 6 6 5 4 3 3 2014 N=60 2015 N=61 2016 N=66 1 0 Annual Report 2016 51 Quality Management Division A separate division of HCIFS Ensures that services provided by the Institute are reliable and of high quality 49 52 Responsibilities Maintains a documented quality management system that meets all accreditation and county requirements Facilitates quality improvements within each division of HCIFS Monitors the continued use of best practices and ensures the reliability of records released for discovery Annual Report 2016 53 Accomplishments in 2016 376 standard operating procedures reviewed 205 proficiency tests administered 468 court orders processed 11 internal audits conducted 74 internal training sessions provided 54 Crime Laboratory Service Provides analytical testing services to the HCIFS Medical Examiner Service, the justice system and law enforcement agencies in Harris and surrounding counties 55 Crime Laboratory Service Statistical Summary  Cases received: 25,903  Cases completed: 27,348 (Approximately a 30% increase from 2015)  Total Number of submitting agencies: 80  55% of laboratory personnel have a professional certification • American Board of Criminalistics: 45 analysts • American Board of Forensic Toxicology: 9 analysts Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners: 5 examiners • 56 Crime Laboratory Service: Drug Chemistry Laboratory Drug Chemistry Laboratory In accordance with Texas state statutes, identifies confiscated, illegal and dangerous drugs, including:  Plant material  Powders, tablets, liquids  Drug paraphernalia The laboratory also develops and implements methods to identify new “designer” drugs including:  Stimulants known as “Bath Salts”  Synthetic cannabinoids such as “Spice” or “K2”  NBOMe hallucinogens 58 Cases Received & Completed 13,500 12,596* 12,000 10,500 9,000 Number 7,500 of Cases 9,563 8,800 7,629 7,786 7,289 7,096 7,618 7,567 7,054 7,155 10,227* 8,749 Received Completed 7,430 6,000 4,500 3,000 1,500 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 * Compared to 2015, 7% increase in cases received and 44% increase in cases completed Annual Report 2016 59 Test Results  12,492 unique IFS cases handled  26,220 items received and processed  20,045 positive results reported 8% N=20,045 <1% 5% 5% 38% 10% 18% 16% Annual Report 2016 Marihuana/THC Methamphetamine Non-Controlled Substances General Pharmaceuticals Cocaine Pharmaceutical/Illicit Opiates/Opioids Designer Drugs Phencyclidine Other Controlled Substances Steroids 60 Breakdown of Designer Drugs Test Results N=1,130 3% 1% Synthetic Marihuana: 798 Bath Salts: 279 NBOMe: 36 Other: 17 25% 71% Annual Report 2016 These data do not reflect discrete cases because drugs may be combined within a case 61 Designer Drug Trends 1000 947 900 798 776 800 Bath Salts (Synthetic Cathinones) 700 K2/Spice (Synthetic Cannabinoids) 600 Number of Test 500 Results 400 300 200 100 0 329 190 85 0 2011 Annual Report 2016 355 19 2012 297 267 155 126 NBOMe Hallucinogens 67 2013 109 279 105 36 2014 2015 These data do not reflect discrete cases because drugs may be combined within a case 2016 62 Crime Laboratory Service: Forensic Genetics Laboratory Forensic Genetics Laboratory Conducts DNA testing primarily for:  Law enforcement agencies  HCIFS medical examiners and HCIFS forensic anthropologists to assist in positively identifying decedents Cases submitted for DNA testing include crimes against persons such as sexual assault, homicide and robbery, as well as property crimes such as burglary and theft Crimes against persons are given first priority for testing Annual Report 2016 64 Case Submissions Stratified by Type 11% 5% 29% 27% 28% N=3,261 Property: 934 Sexual Assault: 881 Other: 163 Annual Report 2016 Assault/Robbery: 923 Homicide/Death Investigation: 360 65 Cases Received & Completed/Closed 6,000 4,885 4,500 3,2553,292 3,910 3,748 4,139 4,013 4,324 3,473 2,753 3,000 3,882* 3,148* Received Completed/Closed 1,500 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 The laboratory paused the collection and analysis of touch DNA property crimes in July 2015 to focus on crimes against persons, which typically requires more testing and more complex interpretations. Increasing DNA testing of crimes against persons decreases the number of cases the lab can complete. * Compared to 2015, 27% decrease in cases received (see above) and 41% increase in cases completed * Compared to 2011, similar volume of cases received and 18% increase in cases completed Annual Report 2016 66 CODIS Hits 2016 1,800 1,600 1,313 1,400 1,200 1,000 811 800 600 400 200 0 322 354 241 227 2007 2008 952 507 543 2009 2010 989 536 1,071 558 1,133 612 687 600 527 319 2011 CODIS hits Annual Report 2016 1,540 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Offender hits 67 Trace Evidence DNA Collection Team Specialized DNA analysts who attend select death scenes to collect DNA and trace evidence from bodies that have been:  Dumped  Bound  Thought to have been in close contact with the perpetrator The team has had a number of successes obtaining DNA different from that of the victim This information assists investigators in solving crimes Annual Report 2016 68 Trace DNA Collection Homicide Cases by Cause of Death 3% 1% 96 collections in 2016 29% 82% (79) of the Trace DNA Collection Cases are Homicides 67% N=79 GSW: 53 Blunt or Sharp: 23 Strangulation or Asphyxia: 2 Homicidal Violence: 1 Annual Report 2016 69 Crime Laboratory Service: Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Analyzes biological evidence submitted by the HCIFS Medical Examiner Service and law enforcement agencies in Harris County for:  Death investigations  Driving while impaired (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI) cases  Drug-facilitated sexual assaults  Other criminal investigations The only forensic toxicology laboratory in Texas dually accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology 71 DWI Case Analysis Distribution Of the 27% of DWI Cases that Receive Drug Screening*: 26% 7% 73% 74% Drug Screen Negative Drug Screen Positive 20% N = 3,110 * Only cases with alcohol less than 0.10 g/100 mL receive drug testing Annual Report 2016 Alcohol Testing Only Alcohol Testing, Drug Screening/Confirmation Alcohol Testing, Drug Screening 72 DWI Blood Alcohol Concentrations 200 180 68% 160 6% 26% 140 120 Number of Cases 100 Less than 0.08 g/100 mL 0.08 - 0.15 g/100 mL Greater than 0.15 g/mL 80 60 40 0 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.18 0.19 0.2 0.21 0.22 0.23 0.24 0.25 0.26 0.27 0.28 0.29 0.3 0.31 0.32 0.33 0.34 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.38 0.39 0.4 0.41 20 Blood Alcohol Concentration (g/100 mL) Annual Report 2016 73 Drug Prevalence in Drug-Tested DWI Cases 40% N=835 Number of Drug-Tested Cases 30% 20% 10% 36% 35% 19% 17% 13% 8% 7% 0% N=835 True prevalence may be underrepresented as one case could have multiple drugs from a single drug class, e.g. opiates or benzodiazepines Other identified drug classes include: barbiturates, anti-seizure medicines, over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, huffing agents, bath salts, synthetic cannabinoids and anti-depressants Annual Report 2016 74 Crime Laboratory Service: Physical Evidence  Firearms Identification Laboratory  Trace Evidence Laboratory Firearms Identification Laboratory  Conducts examinations of evidence related to investigations of gun-related offenses  Cases received are comprised of weapons, bullets and cartridge casings  Serves as a regional facility for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network database Annual Report 2016 76 Firearms Identification Casework 3,000 2,417 2,500 Number of Cases 2,000 2,000 1,764 2,104 2,501 2,490 2,771 2,529 2,923* 2,705* Cases Received Firearms Received 1,500 1,000 500 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year * Compared to 2015, 5% increase in cases received and 7% increase in firearms received Annual Report 2016 77 Firearms Cases Completed by Type N = 3,764 7% Pistols: 2,848 Revolvers: 361 Rifles: 279 Shotguns: 276 7% 10% N=3,764 76% Annual Report 2016 78 Trace Evidence Laboratory Provides analytical support to the HCIFS Medical Examiner Service and law enforcement in two areas:  Fire Debris Analysis • Examines evidence from fires to assist investigators in determining the presence of ignitable liquid residues  Gunshot Residue (GSR) Analysis • Assists in determining whether a person or object has an association with the discharge of a firearm 79 Trace Evidence Casework 400 376 350 300 294 329 329 361 GSR Fire Debris Cases Received 250 200 150 100 73 73 50 0 2012 2013 53 2014 Year 85 2015 104 2016 * Compared to 2015, similar cases received for GSR and 22% increase in fire debris cases received Annual Report 2016 80 Published Scientific Work: 22 published works in peer-reviewed journals Publications by HCIFS Scientists Authors Title Publication 1 Methner DN, Scherer SE, Welch K, Walkiewicz M, Eng CM, Belmont JW, Powell MC, Wolf DA, Sanchez LA, Kahn R Postmortem genetic screening for the identification, verification, and reporting of genetic variants contributing to the sudden death of the young Genome Research. 2016; 26 (9):1170-1177. 2 McGuire AL, Moore Q,Majumder M, Walkiewicz M, Eng CM, Belmont JW, Nassef S, Darilek S, Rutherford K, Pereira S, Scherer SE, Sutton VR, Wolf D, Gibbs RA, Kahn R, Sanchez LA The ethics of conducting molecular autopsies in the cases of sudden death in the young Genome Research. 2016; 26(9):1165-9 3 Drake SA, Garza B, Cron SG, Wolf DA Suicide Within 72 Hours After Discharge From Health Care Settings: Decedent Characteristics The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 2016; 37(1):32-34. 4 Pierce ML, Wiersema JM, Crowder CM Progress in the Accreditation of Anthropology Laboratories Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):334-348. 5 Crowder CM, Wiersema JM, Adams BJ, Austin DE, Love JC The Utility of Forensic Anthropology in the Medical Examiner's Office Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):349-360. 6 Wiersema JM Evolution of Forensic Anthropological Methods of Identification Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):361-369. 7 Derrick SM, Figura B The Role of the Anthropologist in Identification at Two Urban Medical Examiner Offices: New York City and Harris County Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):413-423. 8 Wiersema JM, Woody A The Forensic Anthropologist in the Mass Fatality Context Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):455-462. Annual Report 2016 82 Publications by HCIFS Scientists Authors Title Publication 9 Love JC, Wiersema JM Skeletal Trauma: An Anthropological Review Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):463-477. 10 Pinto DC The Laryngohyoid Complex in Medicolegal Death Investigations Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(3):486-498. 11 Drake SA, Harper S, Wolf DW Medicolegal Death Investigation and Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Outcomes: A Naturally Synergistic Collaboration Journal of Forensic Nursing. 2016; 12(4):183-188. 12 Derrick SM, Raxter MH, Hipp JA, Goel P, Chan EF, Love JC, Wiersema JM, Akella NS Development of a Computer-Assisted Forensic Radiographic Identification Method Using the Lateral Cervical and Lumbar Spine Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2016; 60(1):5-12. 13 Bakota E, Arndt C, Romoser AA, Wilson SK Fatal Intoxication Involving 3-MeO- PCP: A Case Report and Validated Method Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 2016; 40(7):504-10. 14 Peterson JG, Love JC, Pinto DC, Wolf DA A novel method for removing a spinal cord with attached cervical ganglia from a pediatric decedent Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2016; 61(1):241-2440 15 Johnson DL, Ross J Maternal Abortifacient Use for Clandestine Abortion Academic Forensic Pathology. 2016; 6(4):633-672. 16 Thomas JK, Sanford MR, Longnecker M, Tomberlin JK Effects of temperature and tissue type on the development of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera:Phoridae) Journal of Medical Entomology. 2016; 53(3):519-525. 17 Pimsler ML, Owings CG, Sanford MR, O'Connor BM, Teel PD, Mohr RM, Tomberlin JK Association of Myianoetus muscuarum (Acari:Histiostomatidae) with Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae) on Human Remains Journal of Medical Entomology. 2016; 53(2):290-295 Annual Report 2016 83 Publications by HCIFS Scientists Authors Title Publication 19 Drake SA, Harper S, Hudson A Case Management for Medicolegal Death Investigation: Sustainable Resources Open Medicine Journal. 2016; BSPMEDJ-2016-HT2-7 20 Drake SA, Yu E Using Biomedical Ethics Model to Explore the Use of Postmortem Specimens in Tissue Research Open Medicine Journal. 2016; BSPMEDJ-2016-HT2-8 21 Drake SA, Langford R, Young A The Development of Quantitative Instruments to Evaluate Cognition and Competency of Forensic Nursing Science Nursing Education Perspectives. 2016; doi: 10.1097/01 Drake SA, Guardino E, Giardino A. Nolte KB Leadership Decisions Influencing Medicolegal Death Investigation: “We wear a lot of hats.” Forensic Science Policy & Management. 2016: An International Journal doi: 10.1080 22 Annual Report 2016 84 Fellowship Programs Medical Examiner Fellowship Programs Forensic Pathology Fellowship: A 1-year fellowship that is a required training program for all new pathologists seeking Forensic Pathology Board certification January – June 2016 2 fellows completed: 197 autopsies 2 external examinations July – December 2016 2 fellows completed: 184 autopsies 6 external examinations Annual Report 2016 86 Crime Laboratory Fellowship Programs Forensic Toxicology: A 2-year fellowship providing training for doctorate-level scientists seeking specialization in Forensic Toxicology The program involves a combination of learning:  Forensic toxicology analytical operations  Method validations  Publications/presentations  Interpretation skills  Court testimony training 87 Crime Laboratory Fellowship Programs Forensic Genetics: A 2-year program designed to train life science doctorates in casework and validation methods Fellows focus on furthering specialized testing in Forensic Genetics, including animal and insect DNA testing Annual Report 2016 88 HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE SERVICE. OF FORENSIC SCIENCES INTEGRITY. i-Il-