The I-Team traveled to Texas to explore what is considered the gold standard of forensic science accountability.
A prominent lab used by prosecutors for marijuana DUI testing in Chicago and the suburbs is no longer doing human testing but the fallout surrounding the flawed results continues.
More than a year after the testing scandal at the University of Illinois-Chicago was revealed by the I-Team, there are growing questions over who's holding scientists and labs accountable. Forensic science evidence can carry extra weight in the courtroom. For some accused, it can mean the difference between freedom or jail. The UIC's Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory situation now touches more than an estimated 2,000 people, resulting in cases dismissed with potentially more to come.
At issue are reports of faulty blood and urine tests that were supposed to measure illegal levels of marijuana in DUI cases. This lab crisis is considered the first big test for the relatively newly formed Illinois Forensic Science Commission which is headed up by Executive Director Amy Watroba.
"The commission is actively working on examining issues related to what occurred at AFTL laboratory," she said. The 14-member body is designed by law as an advisory board. It has no legal authority to sanction rogue analysts or order a lab to shut down. But the commission is taking a stand issuing a scathing statement challenging UIC's attorney-authored report, saying it is "insufficient to address the allegations" and suggesting a "fundamental lack of understanding of forensic toxicology.
"In a written statement, the university said, "UIC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of laboratory research integrity and compliance. The Illinois Forensic Science Commission's statement and recommendations reflect its views and analysis. We are carefully reviewing its assessment.
" DUI attorney Donald Ramsell has been vocal about the commission and his frustration by its limitations. "It was great that the Forensic Science Commission called out the lab for their additional layer of a cover up of their misconduct. Unfortunately, the Forensic Science Commission doesn't have the power to do much more than post a position paper," Ramsell said. And Ramsell worries those overseeing AFTL at the time of the testing errors will not be held accountable.
"The lab is now closed, but nothing prevents it from restarting at this time. Furthermore, those analysts have now scattered and are offering expert testimony, private consults and working at other crime labs," he said. Most states don't have an independent agency dedicated to oversight and auditing of forensic science. The president of the National Association of Forensic Science Boards, Kermit Channell, told the I-Team that state boards with or without enforcement powers still bring value to the public.
"I think it's all about transparency. There has to be, you know, good understanding of the issues and problems, and there has to be correct, effective corrective action when something does go wrong," Channell said. Channell went on to say the most effective commissions do have statutory teeth to enforce their findings.
"I think that boards do need some kind of power to enforce things, whether it's a corrective action going through whatever the situation might be. No one wants someone to be wrongly accused and convicted of a crime that they didn't commit," Channell said. The I-Team traveled to Texas to explore what is considered the gold standard of forensic science accountability.
In downtown Houston, inside an unassuming high-rise building is the Houston Forensic Science Center, led by Dr. Peter Stout, the center's CEO and president. He said real accountability for labs in Texas was born out of a history of forensic fiascos so significant that they required legislative intervention.
To combat a history of poor testing and bad science, the Texas legislature created the Forensic Science Commission in the early 2000s to independently oversee, and if necessary, penalize labs and scientists for bad science. It also made the Houston forensic lab independent of the Houston police. More recently, Texas passed a law requiring an online portal to disclose forensic evidence to both defense attorneys and prosecutors at the same time.
Stout said, "It changes the dynamic between law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, and the feds. You're going to get an independent answer from the laboratory, and you might not like that answer.
" Inside the lab, where tens of thousands of cases per year are processed, Stout said getting the forensic science right is vital to the criminal justice system. "It is disproportionately impactful evidence. And we've got to take it seriously, that the controls, oversight, the quality of that matches the expectation that people have.
" Stout also weighed in on the evidence provided in Illinois by the UIC forensic lab for marijuana DUI cases, saying it "pains him. " "It is really easy for labs without the framework around them to end up in some really unfortunate place," Stout said. The I-Team also traveled to Austin, where the Forensic Science Commission reviews allegations of forensic misconduct.
"The complaint alleges that the analyst withheld information from the defense and exhibited bias," the paperwork said. Members took official action against that former Texas lab scientist for poor forensic drug testing, barring them from future employment in a state lab.
Lynn White Garcia, the commission's general counsel said, "We were able to really look at that and say OK, that's enough for us, and we're going to take action to make sure that this person is not employed anywhere else in the future.
" It is that power to penalize that leads to better forensic science presented in court, Stout told the I-Team. But to get this kind of commission with oversight authority, the power to investigate and take action against bad forensic science, it takes legislators who are ready to act. That is something that could be accomplished in Illinois with its own evolving Forensic Science Commission.
Watroba said Illinois' commission, which started meeting in 2022, is effective through policy initiatives, incident analysis and helping with new legislation. But she acknowledges the relatively young group could eventually change with public demand and action from lawmakers.
"A good commission is structured in such a way that it is designed to evolve, adapt and grow as the needs of the community and landscape it serves changes. So yes, Illinois' commission is designed to evolve," she explained. The commission called on UIC to initiate a comprehensive audit of the now shuttered human toxicology lab, made by an independent agency with forensic science expertise. Related Topics
Drug Test Marijuana Dui Weed Dui Dui Test Dui Testing Drug Testing Uic Drug Lab Uic Drug Testing Chicago News 18991617
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Full team-by-team report card for all 32 teamsU-T draft analyst Eddie Brown’s full 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams, including team-by-team analysis, draft picks, notable undrafted free agents, best classes, biggest reaches and roster-fit breakdowns.
Read more »
'Why the squad has water': Franklin firefighters put out fire after possible DUI arrestFranklin County fire crews extinguished an explosive early Sunday fire after a reported DUI sent one person to the hospital, the fire company announced.
Read more »
Jessica Biel gives brutal ultimatum to husband Justin Timberlake after DUI arrestJake Reiner details the heartbreaking moment he learned of his parents’ deaths in a devastating new essay. Ciara Miller and Amanda Batula’s feud explodes in leaked “Summer House” reunion audio over West Wilson. Kendall Jenner is taking things slow with Jacob Elordi as their longtime friendship turns romantic.
Read more »
2027 NFL Draft: Team-By-Team Breakdown of Picks and Trades Already MadeBelieve it or not, the 2027 NFL draft is already beginning to take shape. With the 2026 edition of the league’s marquee event in the rearview—and the abundance
Read more »
Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Fatal DUI Crash in Wheat RidgeA 33-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to a DUI crash in Wheat Ridge that killed one person and injured two others. The driver, Hernandez-Sanchez, was found to be driving over 70 mph and had a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit. The crash resulted in a fatality and serious injuries to two others. The prosecutor emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy and the lasting impact on the victims' families.
Read more »
Two juveniles seriously injured in Auburn single-vehicle crash; driver arrested for DUITwo juveniles were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition after a single-vehicle crash in Auburn. The adult female driver was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities did not release the ages or genders of the juveniles.
Read more »