The State Crime Lab recently got a new Ombudsperson who may be familiar to many of you: former IDS Defender Administrator Susan Brooks. As Ombudsperson, Susan will be responsible for addressing concerns about the Crime Lab’s policies, procedures, and actions. She will also assist in mediating conflicts and resolving complaints, and she will apprise the …
Announcements
Traumatic Brain Injury Resources
Desiree Gorbea-Finalet, Project Manager for the Traumatic Brain Injury Project at Disability Rights North Carolina has shared the following resources that may be helpful for attorneys working with clients who may have a Traumatic Brain Injury. Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Criminal Justice Professionals (CDC) Accessible Court Participation with a Brain Injury – The …
Forensic Podcasts Episodes For Attorneys
Attorney Darcia Forester, Deputy Public Defender, State of Hawaii has compiled this list of podcasts episodes relating to Forensic Sciences – including DNA, fingerprints, ballistics, government surveillance, facial recognition, cell phones, data collection and algorithms. Attorneys are encouraged to utilize this comprehensive list as a resource.
Virtual Workshop Series: Qualifications of an Expert Witness for Legal Professionals
North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) will host a two-part virtual workshop series on the Qualifications of an Expert Witness for Legal Professionals. This workshop series will discuss topics surrounding qualifications of expert witnesses in forensic disciplines under both the Daubert and the Frye standards. Part I of …
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Private Investigator Directory added to IDS website
Are you looking for an investigator who can find and interview witnesses, review evidence, gather and document additional evidence, examine the crime scene and its investigation, and conduct background checks on witnesses? IDS has created a directory of licensed private investigators who are available to assist on your criminal cases. Compiling information on investigators who …
Private Investigator Directory added to IDS websiteRead More
CSI on Trial Podcast
In a 6-part podcast, host and filmmaker Molly Hermann traces the roots of various forensic techniques and the questions surrounding their accuracy. Each episode will focus on one technique, and is informed by criminal defense attorneys who have challenged the reliability of this evidence in court. The second episode looks at bitemark evidence and the …
CIFS Bite Mark Video is Now Available on YouTube
The Center for Integrity in Forensic Science (CIFS) has released their first animated video. The video explores the problematic use of bite mark comparison evidence in the justice system. CIFS’s primary goal in creating the video is to raise public awareness about the flaws in bite mark evidence and educate potential jurors on its unreliability. …
Join the Indigent Defense Services Team
Indigent Defense Services (IDS) is seeking a Recruitment and Training Coordinator to equip defenders to provide more effective legal services for our indigent clients through understanding how developmental and community backgrounds impact both our client population and the attorneys who serve them. This newly-created grant-funded position represents an exciting opportunity to impact personnel and practice in the representation of …
Is the caller the killer?
ProPublica reporter Brett Murphy published his first article in a series of investigative reporting about a controversial method being used by some law enforcement officers to determine whether a 911 caller is guilty or innocent. NC homicide investigators were trained at a NC Homicide Investigators Association Conference by the method’s creator, Tracy Harpster. The method …
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 …
White Paper on the Science of Late Adolescence: A Guide for Judges, Attorneys, and Policy Makers
Reposted from the NC Office of the Juvenile Defender Blog My high schooler is currently working on a Civics Literacy project in which she is tasked with creating a summary of candidates running for office and including relevant information about their platforms. Citing her resources for the information is important – she knows that if …
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 …
“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 …