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CSI Expert to Speak at ASU

February 18, 2013

Angelo State University will host a public presentation by Irma Rios, director of the Houston Police Department (HPD) Crime Lab, on Friday, Feb. 22, in the Houston Harte University Center, 1910 Rosemont Drive.

Rios’ lecture, “The Real Life Crime Scene Investigation (CSI),” will begin at noon Feb. 22 in Room 110/111 of the University Center and is open free to the public.  Rios will speak about her career path to becoming a crime lab director.  Attendees are invited to bring a brown bag lunch or purchase food from the University Center food court to eat during the presentation.

Director of the HPD Crime Lab since 2003, Rios previously spent 20 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).  She started as a chemist in the Austin DPS Headquarters Crime Lab, then served in the Houston DPS Regional Crime Lab as a chemist-toxicologist before returning to the Austin lab, first as DNA supervisor and then director.  She currently oversees the HPD Crime Lab’s Biology/DNA/Trace, Controlled Substances, Toxicology and Firearms/Toolmarks programs.

Also an experienced lab inspector, Rios has conducted 11 American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors-Laboratory Accreditation Board inspections of crime labs in several states, Canada and New Zealand, and has taught numerous clinics, academies and seminars at universities, military bases and professional association meetings.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas-Pan American and an M.B.A. from Texas State University, and has completed FBI Academy graduate courses at the University of Virginia.

Rios’ ASU lecture is one of a series of presentations she will make in San Angelo.  On Feb. 22, she will also meet with Howard College students and SAISD seniors in the morning, and with TLCA high school students in the afternoon.  Her visit will culminate with a keynote presentation at the local El Camino Girl Scouts’ annual “Expanding Your Horizons” event on Feb. 23.

ASU’s Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Office and Career Development Office are sponsoring Rios’ visit as part of the HSI Speaker Series, which brings speakers to campus to discuss a wide range of topics pertaining to the goals of the university’s HSI grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information, call the HSI Office at 325-486-6475.