In 2021, IDS provided over 1000 hours of continuing education to dozens of NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, and experts who attended the IDS Forensic Science Education Series. It has been a great way to provide free-to-attend forensic training during times when we couldn’t offer in-person training. In 2022, IDS Forensic Resources and the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office will offer monthly 90-minute webinars which will take place typically 12:30-2:00 pm on the first Thursday of the month.
Registration and participation:
If you registered for the 2021 series, you are already registered for the 2022 series. If you haven’t registered previously, use this link to register for the series and attend the programs that are of interest. The webinars will be presented monthly and are free to attend. If separate registration is needed for a webinar, it will be noted. Attorneys who want CLE credit for attending will be billed $3.50 per credit hour by the State Bar. Participants who complete at least ten of the sessions will receive acknowledgement that they completed the 2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series.
The 2022 Series will offer instruction on these topics as they relate to various forensic disciplines and preparations for Daubert/702 challenges.
Feb. 3, 2022: Using the NAS Report and PCAST Report at trial to challenge unreliable forensic methods – Prof. Brandon Garrett, Assistant Appellate Defender Amanda Zimmer, Assistant Public Defender Anthony Monaghan, and Sarah Olson. Materials: Monaghan outline, Monaghan framework, Zimmer slides, Olson slides.
Mar. 3, 2022: Challenging the validation of a forensic method – Pate Skene, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Public Defender Samantha Grill and Attorney Hannah Autry. Skene slides. Grill slides. Autry fingerprints motion(1), Autry fingerprints motion(2).
Mar. 4, 2022: Whiskey in the Courtroom 8: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science – Firearms Evidence (Full day program, requires separate registration available here.)
Apr. 7, 2022: Working with defense experts
May 5, 2022: Challenging eyewitness ID testimony and utilizing defense experts: Dr. Lori Van Wallendael and Attorney Greg Tosi
June 2, 2022: Likelihood ratios and challenges to STRMix evidence: Dr. Maher “Max” Noureddine and Attorney Elizabeth Vasquez
July 7, 2022: Strategic motions to challenge cell phone evidence: Spencer McInvaille. McInvaille slides.
July 21, 2022: Cross-Examination in Digital Forensics Cases: Lars Daniel
Aug. 4, 2022: Cognitive bias in forensic science: Jeff Kukucka, Ph.D., Attorney James Williams, and Attorney Emily Coward. Kukucka slides, Template Request for Orientation Video on Implicit Bias, Order Allowing Defendant’s Motion to Show Jurors a Video on Implicit Bias, Bias Check for Defenders 2022.
Sept. 1, 2022: Laboratory Quality Systems (with a focus on toxicology cases): Dr. Peter Stout and James “Jake” Minick.
Oct. 6, 2022: Challenging Searches & Seizures of Digital Data – Sidney Thaxter, NACDL’s Fourth Amendment Center
Nov. 3, 2022: Discovery and Lab Quality Systems (with a focus on firearms cases): Kathleen Clardy and Jordan Duhe Willets
Dec. 1, 2022: TBA
Connecting to the webinars:
NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators and mitigation specialists who register for the series will receive an email with the webinar link prior to each session. Only one registration is needed for the entire series, unless specifically noted. The webinars will be hosted on Webex. If you are new to Webex and would like more information about joining a Webex meeting, click here.