Harris County fires forensic analyst who tested evidence in AJ Armstrong’s murder trial

A forensic scientist in Harris County, Rochelle Austen, has been terminated from her position after failing routine quality assurance tests. The test results have raised concerns about the accuracy of her work in hundreds of criminal cases, including the A.J. Armstrong murder investigation.

Austen’s termination stemmed from her failure to pass a routine quality assurance test, although the Harris County District Attorney’s Office clarified that no failures were identified in her actual casework. However, Rick DeToto, A.J.’s attorney, expressed concern about the impact of Austen’s termination on the Armstrong case, citing issues such as hidden evidence and sudden discoveries.

While Austen handled evidence in the A.J. Armstrong case, the DA’s office stated that her involvement was limited to processing items requested by the defense and did not include testing crucial evidence like Armstrong’s T-shirt or identification badge. Consequently, the DA’s office asserted that Austen’s termination does not affect the outcome of the Armstrong trial.

Nevertheless, Austen’s failed proficiency tests have raised questions about the outcome of 392 pending criminal cases she was involved in. Legal experts suggest that her compromised work could potentially lead to case dismissals or plea deals.

The Houston Forensic Science Center, responsible for conducting the proficiency tests, emphasized the importance of identifying errors before they impact actual casework. They stated that the tests served their intended purpose in this instance.