In case you missed it, the COA released State v. Booth on Oct. 18, 2022, dealing in part with lay opinions by officers identifying marijuana as such based on sight and odor only and without a proper lab test identifying the levels of delta-9 THC. The officer in Booth was permitted to testify that he could …
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2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series: Challenging Facial Recognition Evidence
Live webinar presented by Clare Garvie, Training and Resource Counsel, Fourth Amendment Center at NACDLNov. 3, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated For the past twenty years, police across the U.S. have used face recognition as a routine investigative technique with little to no controls, oversight, or disclosure to the defense, despite …
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Law and Mental Health Webinar Series
If you would like to know more about the intersection of law, criminal justice, and behavioral health, you should check out the weekly Law and Mental Health Webinar Series offered by the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Speakers represent a variety of fields including forensic psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, public defenders, and judges. …
2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Challenging Searches & Seizures of Digital Data
Live webinar presented by Sidney Thaxter, Senior Litigator for the Fourth Amendment Center at NACDL Oct. 6, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated Searches and seizures of digital data are now routine in criminal investigations, but the role of the Fourth Amendment in the digital world is far from settled. This training …
2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Lab Quality Systems
Live webinar presented by Dr. Peter Stout and Jake Minick Sept. 1, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated This program will discuss the quality systems in place in forensic labs, including lab accreditation, analyst certification, and proficiency testing, as well as the limitations of these systems. Dr. Stout leads the Houston Forensic …
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Come work with us!
IDS has a job opening for a Regional Defender based in Durham or Wake County. The Office of Indigent Defense Services is seeking a qualified individual to work to advance our mission to safeguard individual liberty and the Constitution by equipping the North Carolina public defense community with the resources it needs to achieve fair …
Book Event with Chris Fabricant at Duke Law School
September 12, 2022 • 12:30 PM • Law School 3041 Duke Law School’s Novel Justice is a book event series sponsored by the Wilson Center for Science and Justice. The Center invites authors to discuss recently published criminal justice books and to engage in Q&A with faculty and students. Chris Fabricant is the Director of …
The FIU Research Forensic Library is Open!
Florida International University has a forensic library that allows anyone to access full-text scientific articles on various forensic disciplines. This is great for understanding forensics-based issues in a case, updating your knowledge on recent developments, or even just learning more about forensic science for future use. You can also sign up for their email list …
Cognitive Bias in Forensic Science and the Courtroom
Live webinar presented by James Williams, Dr. Jeff Kukucka, and Emily Coward Aug. 4, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description: This program will examine several ways that race affects forensic evidence. Presenters will discuss the racist or colonial roots of some of the forensic sciences, how racism manifests in some current …
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Cross-Examining Digital Forensic Experts Webinar
2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series Live webinar presented by Lars Daniel July 21, 2022, 12:30 pm 90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description: This presentation will prepare attorneys to effectively cross-examine digital evidence experts. The presenter will provide recommendations about vetting experts, including information specific to the field of digital forensics. Using cross-examination scripts, …
2022 IDS Forensic Science Education Series: Challenging Cell Phone Location Evidence Webinar
Live webinar presented by Spencer McInvailleJuly 7, 2022, 12:30 pm90 min of CLE credit anticipated Description:Cell phone location evidence is used frequently by law enforcement to show a suspect’s location at the time of a crime. This program will provide attorneys and investigators with background information on cellular technology, carrier stored data, how experts obtain …
Hemp remains legal in NC
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 …
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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 …