The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Network of Public Health Institute (NNPHI), and the Public Health Institute (PHI), announced a new no-cost webinar series focusing attention on drug-caused and drug-related deaths. This 10-part webinar series brings together medicolegal death investigators, forensic …
New Database Documents a Century of Court Decisions on Forensic Expert Evidence Testimony
This week, the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law announced the launch of a new public resource: the Forensic Expert Evidence Database, a searchable collection of court decisions addressing when and how forensic expert testimony is admitted in criminal cases. The database brings together reported decisions from courts across all fifty states …
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Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix CLE
Presented by Dr. Max Noureddine No cost to attend, 2 hours of CLE credit anticipated, in person only This program will take place in 3 locations in Western, Central, and Eastern North Carolina. The same information will be presented at each location, so you only need to attend one. About: This presentation will provide an …
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Webinar: Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings
Live webinar presented by Dr. Jerrod BrownFeb. 5, 2026, 12:30pm90 min of CLE credit Neurodivergence describes a group of individuals with atypical patterns of brain functioning, including differences in cognition, sensory, and motor abilities. Conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia), and traumatic brain injuries often fall …
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Forensic Book Club
The Forensic Book Club has selected its next read and we hope you’ll join us in reading and discussing it! Our next book will be The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story. We’ll meet virtually to discuss on Mar. 30 at 6 pm. This book came out in 2025 and generated a …
Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science – REGISTRATION OPEN
Indigent Defense Services and the Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility are pleased to announce the twelfth annual CLE, “Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science.” Whiskey 12 will take place on March 6, 2026 at Duke Law School. Forensic science experts and attorneys who have litigated cases involving complex scientific …
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Expert Witnesses in NC Criminal Cases
IDS has prepared Expert Witnesses in NC Criminal Cases to provide information for any professional considering serving as an expert witness in indigent criminal defense cases, as well as best practices for NC criminal defense attorneys working with expert witnesses. The guide contains information for experts about billing in IDS cases, deciding whether to accept a case, …
2026 IDS Forensic Science Education Series
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office provide regular continuing education to dozens of NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists who attend the IDS Forensic Science Education Series. In 2026, we will offer monthly 90-minute webinars on various aspects of forensic evidence. These webinars will take place typically at 12:30 pm on …
Testimony about shaken baby syndrome excluded by NJ Supreme Court
On Nov. 20, 2025, the New Jersey Supreme Court barred testimony concerning shaken baby syndrome, finding that the State failed to meet its burden of showing reliability under the Frye standard. The opinion discusses the history of this diagnosis and lack of consensus around the so-called “triad” of symptoms in shaken baby cases. The opinion demonstrates …
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Decoding Toxicology Lab Reports from the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Other Crime Labs
Live webinar presented by Rohan Parekh, MS, PhDNov. 6, 2025, 12:30pm90 min of CLE credit anticipated With the recent opening of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory, attorneys need additional information about the lab reports produced by this lab. The Union County Public Defender’s Office, the Union County Bar, and NC Indigent Defense Services …
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Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Biology Testing Explained
Live webinar presented by Wendell IvoryOct. 2, 2025, 12:30pm90 min of CLE credit anticipated In this virtual webinar, attendees will learn about the services provided by the Forensic Biology Section at the NC State Crime Lab. The presentation will cover evidence submission criteria and reporting results. A brief overview of CODIS and STIMS will also …
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Forensic Book Club
The Forensic Book Club is starting its next reading. It is a short story that is just 26 pages! To get into the fall/Halloween spirit, we’ll be reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” We’ll meet virtually to discuss on Oct. 13 at 6 pm. If you have been thinking about joining us, …
Inside the State Crime Lab: Digital Evidence Testing Explained
Live webinar presented by Sterling HuntSept. 18, 2025, 12:30pm90 min of CLE credit anticipated In this webinar, attendees will review submission requirements for mobile devices, identify types of devices and removable media, discuss the two states of mobile devices and encryption, review the examination process, and discuss the results of examination. Attendees will be provided …
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Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Testing Explained Webinars
For the second half of the year, the IDS Forensic Science Education Series will take a deeper look into the testing performed at the State Crime Lab. In each session, an analyst from the State Crime Lab will present about the testing performed in their section of the lab. We hope that the sessions will …
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Expert assistance in toxicology and pharmacology available starting July 1, 2025 through Expert Services Project
Access to qualified expert services is essential to public defense. To better equip defenders with the resources they need to achieve fair and just outcomes for clients, Indigent Defense Services launched the pilot Expert Services Project in 2021 and is expanding it to include toxicology and pharmacology experts on July 1, 2025. This Project provides …