NACDL’s 11th Annual FREE Training for Post-Conviction Lawyers Remedying Wrongful Convictions March 26, 2020, Chicago, Illinois – InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile NACDL, in collaboration with the Innocence Network, presents an exciting new training specifically for lawyers who handle post-conviction innocence claims. National experts will provide cutting-edge instruction on topics essential for investigating and …
Working with a Mitigation Specialist in a non-capital case
Why and how to use a Mitigation Specialist in a non-capital case Attorneys who represent clients in capital cases are familiar with the requirement that someone be able to recognize the presence of mental health and psychological impairments serve as a member of the defense team. These professionals, mitigation specialists, are qualified by training and …
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Sixth Annual Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science
NC Indigent Defense Services, the Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility, and the Duke Law Center for Science and Justice are pleased to announce the sixth annual CLE, “Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science.” Whiskey 6 will take place on March 6, 2020 at Duke Law School. Forensic science experts …
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What records are available in a death investigation case?
Attorneys have asked me what discovery should be available from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in cases where an autopsy was performed by that office. The Autopsy Report is a public record. It can be requested through the OCME website, or it can be provided through discovery. Photos, videos, or audio recordings of …
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Independent testing of forensic evidence
The question of how to have forensic evidence tested or re-tested by an independent laboratory comes up in my case consultations. This post will outline the general process of requesting that evidence be independently tested in a court-appointed case, and I am happy to talk with attorneys about their specific cases and help weigh the …
Strategic Litigation assistance available
Below is an offer of support from Chris Fabricant at the Strategic Litigation department at the Innocence Project in NY. The Strategic Litigation department at the Innocence Project works to address the leading contributing causes of wrongful conviction: unvalidated and misapplied forensic science, eyewitness misidentification evidence, and false confessions. We are writing to express our …
Working with Experts in Trial Preparation CLE
Friday, January 10, 2020NC Judicial Center, 901 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, NCSponsored by NC Indigent Defense Services5.0 hours of General CLE Credit anticipated The NC Office of Indigent Defense Services will offer a continuing education program that is designed to enhance the knowledge of criminal defense attorneys regarding the use of expert testimony to communicate …
MI federal judge disallows testimony about DNA mixture interpretation
Oct. 2019 – United States District Judge found that in a case involving interpretation of a complex DNA mixture where the relevant contributor contributed 7% of the DNA in the mixture, the STRmix software report did not meet the Daubert reliability standard for admissibility as evidence.
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DNA Mixture Interpretation CLE: Conventional and Software-driven Probabilistic Genotyping Methods
As forensic labs are transitioning to a new method of interpreting DNA mixtures using software-driven probabilistic genotyping methods, attorneys will need to become familiar with the changes that are coming to lab reports and testimony. The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office is hosting a free to attend CLE on DNA Mixture Interpretation: Conventional and Software-driven Probabilistic …
Are There Really Flaws in Cell Phone Location Evidence?
Originally posted on the Envista Forensics Blog on Oct. 7, 2019 by Larry Daniel, Spencer McInvaille, Eric Grabski The amount of cell phone record location information being admitted as evidence in trial is occurring at an unprecedented rate. Juries across the U.S., and globally are being presented with call detail record analysis as evidence of …
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Forensic Trial Litigation CLE at Duke Law
October 19 (1 pm to 5 pm) and October 20 (all day – 9 am to 5 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 University School of Law is …
Visit to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
On Friday, August 30, 2019, a group of 20 attorneys, investigators, and law students visited the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The group met with Dr. Michelle Aurelius, who became the Chief Medical Examiner following Dr. Deborah Radisch’s retirement earlier this summer. The group also met with Brad Brecher, the Agency Legal Consultant …
Latent Fingerprint Essentials Webinar
Stetson University College of Law National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law will present a complimentary forensic science webinar on Monday, September 16, 2019 12:00-2:00 p.m. EST. Dr. William C. Thompson will present Latent Fingerprints Essentials, focusing on: An overview of the forensic science discipline Legal concerns and what attorneys should know about latent …
Open Forum with the NC State Crime Laboratory CLE
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 …
Sample Expert Engagement Letter
Expert assistance can be a valuable part of a criminal case, but it is important for attorneys to communicate expectations for the working relationship. We have drafted a sample expert engagement letter which outlines the basics of confidentiality, billing, scope of work, and report writing. This letter provides experts with a summary of an attorney’s …