TEXAS FORENSIC ANALYST LICENSING EXAM READY - VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE LATEST VERSION
2026/2027
1. What state agency oversees accreditation of forensic laboratories in
Texas?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Forensic Science Commission
C. Texas Board of Criminal Justice
D. Office of the Attorney General
Answer: B
Explanation: The Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC) is charged
with accrediting forensic laboratories and licensing forensic analysts in Texas.
2. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 38.35, which term
describes a person who independently conducts an examination, test,
comparison, or analysis of physical evidence?
A. Crime scene investigator
B. Forensic analyst
C. Technical reviewer
D. Evidence custodian
Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 38.35 defines a 'forensic analyst' as an individual who
independently conducts an examination, test, comparison, or analysis of
physical evidence for use in a criminal proceeding.
3. Which legislation created the Texas Forensic Science Commission?
A. HB 1068 (2005)
B. SB 1785 (2007)
C. HB 3010 (2009)
D. SB 344 (2011)
,Answer: A
Explanation: House Bill 1068, passed in 2005 and codified in Art. 38.01,
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, established the Texas Forensic Science
Commission.
4. How many members serve on the Texas Forensic Science Commission?
A. 7
B. 9
C. 11
D. 13
Answer: B
Explanation: The TFSC consists of nine members appointed by the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House.
5. Which of the following is NOT a discipline currently requiring forensic
analyst licensure in Texas?
A. Latent print examination
B. DNA analysis
C. Digital/multimedia evidence
D. Fingerprint card filing
Answer: D
Explanation: Fingerprint card filing is an administrative task, not an analytical
forensic discipline. Licensure applies to those performing independent
examinations and analyses.
6. What is the primary purpose of accreditation for forensic laboratories in
Texas?
A. To generate revenue for the state
B. To ensure quality and reliability of forensic testing
C. To increase prosecution rates
D. To standardize salaries of forensic analysts
Answer: B
Explanation: Accreditation ensures that laboratories follow established
standards, use validated methods, and produce reliable results that can
withstand scrutiny in court.
7. Under the TFSC rules, how often must accredited forensic laboratories
undergo a full on-site assessment?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
, D. Every five years
Answer: B
Explanation: TFSC rules require accredited laboratories to undergo a full on-
site assessment at least every two years as part of the continuing
accreditation process.
8. A forensic analyst who makes a mistake resulting in an erroneous report
MUST report the error to:
A. Only the prosecuting attorney
B. Only the defense attorney
C. The Texas Forensic Science Commission
D. The Texas Supreme Court
Answer: C
Explanation: Under TFSC rules, negligent or intentional analytical
misconduct and significant errors must be reported to the Commission.
9. Which of the following best describes 'forensic science' as defined by
Texas law?
A. The study of legal procedures
B. A discipline used to analyze evidence in criminal and civil matters
C. A branch of medicine only
D. Investigation limited to homicide cases
Answer: B
Explanation: Texas law broadly defines forensic science as a discipline used
to analyze physical evidence in criminal and civil matters, encompassing
many scientific fields.
10. Under Texas law, a forensic analyst license is valid for how long before
renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Texas forensic analyst licenses are valid for two years, after
which the licensee must meet continuing education requirements to renew.
11. The TFSC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints involving which of
the following?
A. Only public crime laboratories
B. Only private forensic firms
, C. Any accredited forensic laboratory in Texas
D. Only federal laboratories operating in Texas
Answer: C
Explanation: The TFSC has jurisdiction over all accredited forensic
laboratories in Texas, whether public or private, that conduct forensic
analyses.
12. Which document issued by TFSC governs minimum standards for
forensic laboratory quality?
A. Texas Administrative Code Title 37
B. Texas Penal Code
C. Texas Rules of Evidence
D. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 2.01
Answer: A
Explanation: TFSC standards and rules are codified in Texas Administrative
Code (TAC) Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 651.
13. When a forensic analyst's license is suspended, the analyst may:
A. Continue working with supervisor approval
B. Not perform any forensic analysis until reinstated
C. Only perform non-casework testing
D. Continue working if the employer consents
Answer: B
Explanation: A suspended license prohibits the analyst from independently
performing forensic analyses; they cannot circumvent suspension through
employer consent.
14. What is the term for the TFSC's process of formally recognizing that a
laboratory meets established standards?
A. Certification
B. Registration
C. Accreditation
D. Validation
Answer: C
Explanation: Accreditation is the formal process by which the TFSC
recognizes that a forensic laboratory meets established quality and technical
standards.
15. Which organization's accreditation is accepted by the TFSC as meeting
its standards?
A. ASCLD/LAB (now ANAB)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE LATEST VERSION
2026/2027
1. What state agency oversees accreditation of forensic laboratories in
Texas?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Forensic Science Commission
C. Texas Board of Criminal Justice
D. Office of the Attorney General
Answer: B
Explanation: The Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC) is charged
with accrediting forensic laboratories and licensing forensic analysts in Texas.
2. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 38.35, which term
describes a person who independently conducts an examination, test,
comparison, or analysis of physical evidence?
A. Crime scene investigator
B. Forensic analyst
C. Technical reviewer
D. Evidence custodian
Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 38.35 defines a 'forensic analyst' as an individual who
independently conducts an examination, test, comparison, or analysis of
physical evidence for use in a criminal proceeding.
3. Which legislation created the Texas Forensic Science Commission?
A. HB 1068 (2005)
B. SB 1785 (2007)
C. HB 3010 (2009)
D. SB 344 (2011)
,Answer: A
Explanation: House Bill 1068, passed in 2005 and codified in Art. 38.01,
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, established the Texas Forensic Science
Commission.
4. How many members serve on the Texas Forensic Science Commission?
A. 7
B. 9
C. 11
D. 13
Answer: B
Explanation: The TFSC consists of nine members appointed by the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House.
5. Which of the following is NOT a discipline currently requiring forensic
analyst licensure in Texas?
A. Latent print examination
B. DNA analysis
C. Digital/multimedia evidence
D. Fingerprint card filing
Answer: D
Explanation: Fingerprint card filing is an administrative task, not an analytical
forensic discipline. Licensure applies to those performing independent
examinations and analyses.
6. What is the primary purpose of accreditation for forensic laboratories in
Texas?
A. To generate revenue for the state
B. To ensure quality and reliability of forensic testing
C. To increase prosecution rates
D. To standardize salaries of forensic analysts
Answer: B
Explanation: Accreditation ensures that laboratories follow established
standards, use validated methods, and produce reliable results that can
withstand scrutiny in court.
7. Under the TFSC rules, how often must accredited forensic laboratories
undergo a full on-site assessment?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
, D. Every five years
Answer: B
Explanation: TFSC rules require accredited laboratories to undergo a full on-
site assessment at least every two years as part of the continuing
accreditation process.
8. A forensic analyst who makes a mistake resulting in an erroneous report
MUST report the error to:
A. Only the prosecuting attorney
B. Only the defense attorney
C. The Texas Forensic Science Commission
D. The Texas Supreme Court
Answer: C
Explanation: Under TFSC rules, negligent or intentional analytical
misconduct and significant errors must be reported to the Commission.
9. Which of the following best describes 'forensic science' as defined by
Texas law?
A. The study of legal procedures
B. A discipline used to analyze evidence in criminal and civil matters
C. A branch of medicine only
D. Investigation limited to homicide cases
Answer: B
Explanation: Texas law broadly defines forensic science as a discipline used
to analyze physical evidence in criminal and civil matters, encompassing
many scientific fields.
10. Under Texas law, a forensic analyst license is valid for how long before
renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Texas forensic analyst licenses are valid for two years, after
which the licensee must meet continuing education requirements to renew.
11. The TFSC has jurisdiction to investigate complaints involving which of
the following?
A. Only public crime laboratories
B. Only private forensic firms
, C. Any accredited forensic laboratory in Texas
D. Only federal laboratories operating in Texas
Answer: C
Explanation: The TFSC has jurisdiction over all accredited forensic
laboratories in Texas, whether public or private, that conduct forensic
analyses.
12. Which document issued by TFSC governs minimum standards for
forensic laboratory quality?
A. Texas Administrative Code Title 37
B. Texas Penal Code
C. Texas Rules of Evidence
D. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 2.01
Answer: A
Explanation: TFSC standards and rules are codified in Texas Administrative
Code (TAC) Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 651.
13. When a forensic analyst's license is suspended, the analyst may:
A. Continue working with supervisor approval
B. Not perform any forensic analysis until reinstated
C. Only perform non-casework testing
D. Continue working if the employer consents
Answer: B
Explanation: A suspended license prohibits the analyst from independently
performing forensic analyses; they cannot circumvent suspension through
employer consent.
14. What is the term for the TFSC's process of formally recognizing that a
laboratory meets established standards?
A. Certification
B. Registration
C. Accreditation
D. Validation
Answer: C
Explanation: Accreditation is the formal process by which the TFSC
recognizes that a forensic laboratory meets established quality and technical
standards.
15. Which organization's accreditation is accepted by the TFSC as meeting
its standards?
A. ASCLD/LAB (now ANAB)
