North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services
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 …
New Database Documents a Century of Court Decisions on Forensic Expert Evidence TestimonyRead More
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 …
Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix CLERead More
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 …
Webinar: Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal SettingsRead More
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 …
Originally posted on the North Carolina Criminal Law blog on Jan. 14, 2026 Not much has changed for cannabis law at the state level since my last post on the topic. I noted there that several defendants were seeking review before the North Carolina Supreme Court regarding the potential impact of legal hemp and the sight or …
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 …
Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science – REGISTRATION OPENRead More
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, …
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 …
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 …
Testimony about shaken baby syndrome excluded by NJ Supreme CourtRead More
The Discovery Demand for AI and Surveillance Technology Evidence template created by Mitha Nandagopalan of the Innocence Project’s Strategic Litigation Department outlines categories of discovery that can be requested in cases involving artificial intelligence and surveillance tools. By reviewing this list and incorporating relevant requests in their discovery motions, attorneys can seek disclosure of technological …
Discovery Template for AI and Surveillance Technology EvidenceRead More
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 …
Decoding Toxicology Lab Reports from the Union County Sheriff’s Office and Other Crime LabsRead More
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 …
Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Biology Testing ExplainedRead More
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, …
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 …
Inside the State Crime Lab: Digital Evidence Testing ExplainedRead More
Free Recorded webinarPresented by Dr. Kima Taylor and Dr. Mishka Terplan; moderated by Andrea LyonOriginally recorded July 2, 2025Approx. 90 min. Stigma and misinformation about substance use during pregnancy often lead to infants being removed from their parents’ custody without understanding the needs of the parent or child. Led by medical experts, this program aims …
