Forensic science assists law enforcement with evidence
Houston County Courier -  November 2009

By Daphne Hereford
Managing Editor
News@houstoncountycourier.com

CROCKETT - On Thursday, Nov. 12, approximately 20 students from Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility (STAFS) at Sam Houston State University assisted the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in conducting a thorough search of an area on CR 4545 where skeletal remains had been discovered on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Authorities said as a result of the search and assistance from STAFS, additional evidence was found. 
The remains were identified as those of Rebecca Kay Davis, 39 who had been reported missing from San Jacinto County and was a resident of Trinity County.
STAFS is a human decomposition and criminal deposition of human bodies research and training facility.  
The facility is directed by Dr. Joan Bytheway, a forensic anthropologist.
Training at the facility utilizes state-of-the-art techniques and involves the recognition of human remains, the recognition of evidence associated with a crime scene involving human remains, and the necessary collection, preservation and transport of evidence so contamination and compromise of evidence is eliminated.
There are currently four facilities of this type in the United States. The local facility is the first in the subtropical, humid environment of southeast Texas.
The facility also offers search and recovery services and Dr. Bytheway consults on forensic anthropology cases.
Additional information about the facility is available on their website at www.cjcenter.org/stafs.