North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services
Spencer McInvaille has posted about geofence warrants on the Envista Forensics blog. These warrants have been used in several NC cases. If you’re handling a case involving a Google location history warrant, be sure to check out Spencer’s post to understand how these searches work and the constitutional implications of this type of search. Click …
Don’t Geofence Me In: Have You Been Caught in a Google Location History Warrant?Read More
State v. Andre Dawson (2021) – Connecticut Supreme Court found that the state failed to present sufficient evidence of constructive possession where the defendant could not be excluded from a DNA mixture containing a partial profile found on a firearm.
Live webinar presented by Phil Dixon Jr.September 2, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit anticipated During this CLE, Phil Dixon will provide an overview of legislation addressing legal hemp products and recent Court of Appeals cases involving cannabis. Challenges to probable cause based on odor and sight of “marijuana” that have been litigated in …
Live webinar presented by Dr. Maher “Max” NoureddineAugust 5, 2021, 1:00 pm 90 min of CLE credit During this CLE, the attendees will learn more about the theory of DNA mixture interpretation using conventional and computer-based probabilistic models, the power and limitations of PG software, and the challenges of confronting PG results in court cases. …
National Institute of Justice-supported researchers from RTI International recently published the results of their research showing that field sobriety tests and THC levels are unreliable indicators of marijuana intoxication. The full study can be read here. A summary of the research is available here and provided the following take-aways that will be of interest for …
Field Sobriety Tests and THC Levels Unreliable Indicators of Marijuana IntoxicationRead More
IDS is pleased to announce a new program to support attorneys assigned to handle serious sex offense cases. Starting June 1, 2021, attorneys representing clients charged with felony sex offenses may seek consultation on those cases with Susan Seahorn or Lisa Dubs. We recognize that these cases are challenging and complex and hope that the …
New Resource for Attorneys Appointed in Felony Sex Offense CasesRead More
Live webinar presented by Jeff Kukucka, Ph.D.June 3, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit anticipated Dr. Jeff Kukucka will present on how social and cognitive biases influence criminal investigations and trials, and how use of psychology can improve the justice system. His presentation will cover recent research on the role that potentially biasing information …
Live webinar presented by Ed Brown, Ph.D.May 6, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit anticipated This one-hour live webinar will provide attorneys having little science training with the basics about the various chemical analysis techniques employed by forensic laboratories and other contract labs around the US. Although a few technical details will be presented …
Live webinar presented by Ed Brown, Ph.D.April 1, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit anticipated Materials: PowerPoint Slides This one-hour live webinar will provide attorneys having little science training with the basics about the various chemical analysis techniques employed by forensic laboratories and other contract labs around the US. Although a few technical details …
Drug Analysis Webinar: Methodology Used for Presumptive Tests and Common Errors ObservedRead More
Live webinar presented by Lars DanielApril 15, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit (technology hour) anticipated Our world is becoming increasingly hyper-connected. The objective of the Internet of things is for everything to communicate and interface with everything. From wearable technology and smart home assistants, to Internet connected medical ingestibles and social credit scores, more data …
Digital Evidence – Consumer Electronics and the IoT (Internet of Things)Read More
This post addresses questions that I get from defenders who are seeking to challenge the admissibility of expert testimony under NC Rule of Evidence 702. I’ll address the nuts and bolts of how and when to make a 702 challenge for attorneys who haven’t yet challenged expert testimony. All defenders should read the NC Superior …
Challenging expert testimony at trial under Rule 702Read More
Live webinar presented by Spencer McInvailleFeb. 25, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit (technology hour) anticipated Cell phone location evidence is used frequently by law enforcement to show a suspect’s location at the time of a crime. The presenter will provide participants with background information on cellular technology, carrier stored data, how experts obtain …
Location: a Live NACDL Virtual EventDates: Runs weekly on Thursdays from January 28 – February 18, 2021Cost: Free Program Description: With opioid-related deaths devastating communities across the country, many legislatures, prosecutors, and law-enforcement officers are choosing to treat these accidental overdose deaths as homicides. Despite the fact that there is no empirical evidence to suggest that such prosecutions stem …
The Legal Aid Society’s DNA Unit is presenting its 6th Annual Forensics Conference on the afternoons of January 27-29. If you have ever wanted to attend, this year is a great opportunity as it is virtual and free to attend. 2020 brought expansion of new technologies (like DNA phenotyping and genealogy), and expansion in the courts’ …
NY Legal Aid Society’s DNA Unit presents 6th Annual Questioning Forensics ConferenceRead More
Friday, February 5 (9 am to 12 pm)Thursday, February 11 (2 pm to 5 pm) Friday, February 12 (9 am to 12 pm) Forensic evidence, from DNA to fingerprints to ballistics, has never been more important in criminal cases. Actually litigating scientific evidence in the courtroom can be challenging and requires some specialized skills. Duke Law …
