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Announcements

Legal Professionals Complete 2021 IDS Forensic Science Education Series

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IDS would like to recognize the following attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and mitigation specialists who completed at least 10 hours of training through the 2021 IDS Forensic Science Education Series: Dan AnthonyJulie BoyerRichard CullerMalea DrewSteven EhlersS. Stephen Goodwin Karen JacksonBellonora McCallumShelby McCoy-PettifordM. LeAnn MeltonSusan SeahornWalter SmithJanet ThomasShannon TuckerScott WaligoraKimberly WhitehouseTiffany Wilson During the year, these legal …

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Unpublished COA Opinion highlights the importance of preserving objections to expert testimony

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In State v. Martin, an Aug. 3, 2021 unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals found that it was error to admit the expert’s testimony, but that it was not plain error. At trial, a NC State Crime Lab drug chemistry expert testified to GCMS results without explaining methodology, the reliability of methodology, or the application …

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New Resource for Attorneys Appointed in Felony Sex Offense Cases

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IDS is pleased to announce a new program to support attorneys assigned to handle serious sex offense cases. Starting June 1, 2021, attorneys representing clients charged with felony sex offenses may seek consultation on those cases with Susan Seahorn or Lisa Dubs. We recognize that these cases are challenging and complex and hope that the …

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Autopsy of a Crime Lab: Exposing the Flaws in Forensics Video Panel

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Presented by the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, this video panel covers Brandon Garrett’s new book, “Autopsy of a Crime Lab: Exposing the Flaws in Forensics”. The video panel covers a range of topics from fingerprint evidence to studies investigating the biases inherent in …

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Digital Evidence – Consumer Electronics and the IoT (Internet of Things)

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Live webinar presented by Lars DanielApril 15, 2021, 1:00 pm60 min of CLE credit (technology hour) anticipated Our world is becoming increasingly hyper-connected. The objective of the Internet of things is for everything to communicate and interface with everything. From wearable technology and smart home assistants, to Internet connected medical ingestibles and social credit scores, more data …

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2021 Forensic Science Education Series: Biomechanics in Criminal Cases

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The next 2021 Forensic Science Education webinar will take place March 18th at 1pm. This webinar is an exciting and unique opportunity to learn more about the field of biomechanics and how it can be used for evidentiary purposes in criminal cases. While perhaps not as often talked about as other disciplines within forensic science …

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Seventh Annual Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science

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Presented by the North Carolina Indigent Defense legal Services, Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility, and the Duke Law Center for Science and Justice, the seventh annual Whiskey in the Courtroom will take place March 4th through 5th. This year the symposium will be hosted virtually through the Duke Law School. Each year, …

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NY Legal Aid Society’s DNA Unit presents 6th Annual Questioning Forensics Conference

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The Legal Aid Society’s DNA Unit is presenting its 6th Annual Forensics Conference on the afternoons of January 27-29. If you have ever wanted to attend, this year is a great opportunity as it is virtual and free to attend. 2020 brought expansion of new technologies (like DNA phenotyping and genealogy), and expansion in the courts’ …

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Forensic Update from North Carolina State Crime Laboratory

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In Dec. 2020, the NC State Crime Laboratory posted a new Forensic Update for criminal justice stakeholders regarding digital evidence. The update addresses how digital evidence should be submitted to the lab and the lab’s examination capabilities. Attorneys should review the Forensic Update to have a better understanding of how the lab will process digital …

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Trace Evidence Resources on forensicresources.org

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As part of our mission to help North Carolina’s public defense community understand forensic science evidence and achieve better outcomes for clients, the office of the Forensic Resource Counsel continues our efforts to make information related to forensic science evidence more easily accessible to attorneys through this website. In that vein, we are pleased to …

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FORENSICS@NIST 2020

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On Thursday November 5th and Friday November 6th, 2020 NIST will present a free-to-attend virtual conference where NIST scientists will discuss how they are using advanced methods in metrology, computer science and statistics to strengthen forensic science. Registration is available here. Topic Areas to be covered: Drugs/Toxins Statistical Methods in Forensic Science Firearms and Tool Marks Forensic …

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Podcast about digital forensic labs

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Just Science is a forensic science podcast funded by the NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence. The current season of Just Science is devoted to digital evidence, including the history and interpretation of digital evidence, emerging technologies used in investigation and as evidence, and the validation of digital forensic tools.  Attorneys may be particularly interested …

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Forensics Linguistics

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In April 2020, Dr. Robert Leonard, Professor of Linguistics and Director of Hofstra’s Graduate Program in Linguistics presented a Hofstra Public Zoom Session on Forensic Linguistics. In the recorded session, Dr. Leonard shares his history working with the FBI and as a consultant on an extensive array of criminal cases and counterterrorism efforts, as well …

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Updated requirements for handling, preservation, and storage of biological evidence

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The NC State Crime Laboratory has updated its evidence protocols pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-268, which requires that the lab review and update its minimum guidelines for the preservation of biological evidence every two years. The procedures were updated in Aug. 7, 2020. Information about these updates was shared with IDS, the Chief …

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Introducing the New Public Defense Portal

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NC Indigent Defense Services is excited to introduce a new streamlined communications platform for IDS communications with public defense attorneys that will save you time and eliminate clutter from your inbox. Beginning today, Aug. 17, 2020, we are asking all NC public defense attorneys to sign up for communications from the new Public Defense Portal …

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