Friday, October 4, 2019
NC Judicial Center, 901 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, NC
Co-sponsored by the NC State Crime Laboratory & Office of Indigent Defense Services
The NC State Crime Laboratory and NC Office of Indigent Defense Services will offer a free-to-attend CLE that is designed to enhance the knowledge of criminal defense attorneys and criminal defense investigators. Senior forensic scientists from the State Crime Lab will present updates and key information about the analysis of physical evidence in the disciplines of Forensic Biology (DNA), Firearms, and Digital Evidence. The Laboratory is working on validating the use of a new software program (STRMix) to interpret DNA mixtures. Once this software is implemented, DNA laboratory reports will have a new format and new conclusions will be used. This program aims to familiarize attorneys with this new program and the testimony that will be provided in court.
Following these presentations, the speakers will address questions from attorneys. Due to the confidential nature of casework, questions about specific cases will not be answered. Attorneys can schedule a meeting at the State Crime Lab to discuss the case with the analyst. Registration is available here. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time using the registration form or by emailing sarah.r.olson@nccourts.org.
Attorneys receiving CLE credit will be billed $3.50 per credit hour by the NC State Bar. 3.0 hours of general CLE credit is anticipated. Non-attorneys who wish to receive continuing education credit will receive certificates of attendance.
October 4, 2019
8:30-9:00 AM Sign-in (Coffee and light snack provided)
9:00-10:30 AM Presentation by the Forensic Biology (DNA) Section
10:30-11:15 AM Presentation by the Firearm and Tool Mark Section
11:15-12:00 PM Presentation by the Digital Evidence Section
Presenters:
- Jason Caccamo, Assistant Attorney General, NC Department of Justice
- Joshua Hickman, Forensic Science Manager, Digital Evidence Section (Raleigh)
- Jennifer Slish, Forensic Scientist Supervisor, Firearms Unit (Physical Evidence Section, Raleigh)
- Jody H. West, Forensic Scientist Manager, Forensic Biology Section (Raleigh)