Texas Division OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IDENTIFICATION; CRIME SCENE UNIT RECOGNITION

August 25, 2022

EL PASO, TEXAS - This coming fall, The Texas Forensic Science Commission will launch a General Forensic Analyst Licensing Exam for anyone practicing in forensic disciplines that are not required to be accredited or licensed under Texas law. Forensic disciplines eligible for the pilot exam include forensic anthropology; crime scene reconstruction; latent print examination; digital evidence (including computer forensics, audio, or imaging); breath specimen testing under Transportation Code, Chapter 724, limited to analysts who perform breath alcohol calibrations.

During the Texas IAI Conference the Commission ran a pilot exam in which El Paso County Sheriff's Office CSI Thea Navarro had the opportunity to be a candidate for the pilot exam. The Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that CSI Thea Navarro has become one of the first to obtain this License in the state of Texas and is the first in our agency.

The Sheriff’s Office has made a strong push to improve the training and technology within the Crime Scene Unit. Two weeks ago, Crime Scene Investigator Thea Navarro and Crime Scene Unit Supervisor Ashley Rosiles were appointed to the Texas Division International Association for Identification (IAI) Education Committee. The Education Committee is tasked with promoting educational schools, training courses, and coordinating courses offered at the annual Texas Division IAI Training Conference. The committee consists of a chairperson and three members. The President of the Texas Division IAIIn appointed the three members, in which CSI Navarro and CSUS Rosiles were selected, and will serve a 3-year term as committee members. On the 3rd year, either CSI Navarro or CSUS Rosiles will be selected to be the Chairperson for the Education Committee. In which they will be tasked with:

• Maintaining funds or accounts to take care of day-to-day business and conduct business in the name of the Texas Division of the IAI.
• Keeping records and statistics of training sponsored or hosted in accordance with the rules of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Providing a report to the Board of Directors on Activities of the Committee as well as the General Membership at the Annual Training Conference.

This is the first time that anyone in the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit has been selected to serve on a committee for the Texas Division IAI.