With Governor Cooper signing it into law yesterday Senate Bill 455 which permanently excludes hemp from the legal definition of marijuana under state law in NC, hemp’s future as a widely-available consumer product in our state seems secure. Under the new legislation, the previous requirement that the hemp be cultivated or possessed by a grower …
What to do with low-quality video evidence
Last week an article in The Assembly, The Shooter in the Video, came across my virtual desk. The article focused on the case of James Richardson, who was convicted of murder in Pitt County in 2011, and the work of his family, supporters and his post-conviction attorney Heather Rattelade to overturn his conviction. A key …
Expert assistance from Envista Forensics now available through Expert Services Project
We want court appointed attorneys to use experts, and we want using experts to be easier for attorneys. Access to qualified expert services is essential to the provision of indigent defense. To better equip the North Carolina public defense community with the resources it needs to achieve fair and just outcomes for clients, Indigent Defense …
Expert assistance from Envista Forensics now available through Expert Services ProjectRead More
Announcing Western Regional Lab Tour
The NC State Crime Laboratory, the 30th Judicial District Bar, and IDS are offering a tour of the Western Regional Lab in Edneyville on June 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm for criminal defense attorneys and investigators. One hour of CLE credit is anticipated for those who participate in the tour. If you would like to …
Webinar: Challenging eyewitness ID testimony and utilizing defense experts
Live webinar presented by Dr. Lori Van Wallendael and Attorney Greg Tosi May 5, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description: This program will discuss current eyewitness identification research. Dr. Van Wallendael will explain what issues attorneys should look out for in an ID case that might indicate problems with the identification. …
Webinar: Challenging eyewitness ID testimony and utilizing defense expertsRead More
DNA Mixtures Webinar: Likelihood ratios and challenges to STRMix evidence
Live webinar presented by Dr. Maher “Max” Noureddine and Attorney Elizabeth Vasquez June 2, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description:This presentation will provide in-depth information about likelihood ratios and probabilistic genotyping (PG) software used to interpret complex DNA mixtures. After a brief overview of the concepts of likelihood ratio and probabilistic …
DNA Mixtures Webinar: Likelihood ratios and challenges to STRMix evidenceRead More
Announcing Expert Services Project
We want court appointed attorneys to use experts, and we want using experts to be easier for attorneys. Access to qualified expert services is essential to the provision of indigent defense. To better equip the North Carolina public defense community with the resources it needs to achieve fair and just outcomes for clients, Indigent Defense …
Legal Aid Society of NY’s DNA Unit Presents Foundation of DNA Defense
Don’t miss out on a great free-to-attend webinar program offered Mar. 30 – Apr. 1, 2022. The Legal Aid Society of NY presents a DNA conference annually. This year’s focus is “Unpacking the 2021 NIST Report.” There will be three days of presentations on the latest information related to forensic DNA evidence. The speaker line-up …
Legal Aid Society of NY’s DNA Unit Presents Foundation of DNA DefenseRead More
Results from a Black-Box Study for Digital Forensic Examiners
In Feb. 2022, NIST published the results of a study that looked at outcomes of mock mobile and hard-drive examinations by digital forensic examiners. 394 individuals registered for the mobile test, and 77 participants completed the mobile case study. 450 individuals registered for the hard-drive test and 102 participants completed the hard drive case study. …
Results from a Black-Box Study for Digital Forensic ExaminersRead More
“You’re Wrong About” Podcast on Junk Science
Sarah Marshall and Josie Duffy Rice discuss the role of unreliable scientific evidence in the criminal justice system in the Feb. 20, 2022 edition of Marshall’s “You’re Wrong About” podcast. The episode is available here. The podcast looks at several types of evidence including blood spatter and bitemark evidence. While many attorneys are familiar with …
Geofence warrant was unconstitutional
On Mar. 4, 2022, a federal judge ruled that use of geofence data in a Virginia case violated the Fourth Amendment. The decision in US v. Chatrie is available here. A geofence is law enforcement use of Google location data to find people who were near a crime scene. Geofence searches have been used in …
Webinar: Challenging the foundational validity of a forensic method
Live webinar presented by Attorney Hannah Autry, and Assistant Public Defender Samantha Grill, and Pate Skene, J.D., Ph.D.Mar. 3, 2022, 12:30-2 pm90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description:Indigent Defense Services and the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office will offer a series of monthly webinars which prepare attorneys to challenge unreliable forensic science evidence in 702/Daubert …
Webinar: Challenging the foundational validity of a forensic methodRead More
State Crime Lab Updates
The State Crime Lab provided their Forensic Update Volume 6, No.1 on Jan. 24, 2022. Attorneys should review the Forensic Update to understand several changes to reports in Drug Chemistry and Toxicology effective Feb. 1, 2022, regarding no longer reporting the schedule of identified substances on drug analysis lab reports and suspending further testing of …
Announcing 2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series
To report attendance in the 2022 series, please use this link: https://forms.gle/CZ2cYwvktuYsCEQn9 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 …
Announcing 2022 IDS Forensic Science Education SeriesRead More
Whiskey in the Courtroom 8: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science – Firearms Evidence
Indigent Defense Services, the Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility, and the Wilson Center for Science and Justice are pleased to announce the eighth annual CLE, “Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science.” Whiskey 8 will take place on March 4, 2022 at Duke Law School. We plan to be in-person …
Whiskey in the Courtroom 8: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science – Firearms EvidenceRead More