Forensic ResourcesNorth Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services
North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services
// by Sarah Olson
Effective Aug. 15, 2020 In the firearm/toolmark pattern match Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR), the new guidance for Department of Justice firearm examiners includes: [A]n examiner shall not: assert that a ‘source identification’ or a ‘source exclusion’ conclusion is based on the ‘uniqueness’ of an item of evidence. use the terms ‘individualize’ or …
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Firearms/Toolmarks Discipline – Pattern MatchRead More
// by Alec Rees
This presentation, now available to view for free, was given as a part of the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence’s (CSAFE) 2020 All Hands Meeting. The meeting brings together researchers, forensic partners, and interested community members to discover potential areas for collaboration, highlight the organization’s achievements, and discuss goals for the future. …
// by Sarah Olson
Decision on Frye Motion making a finding that the relevant scientific community consists of the fields of forensic science, scientific methodology in studies and statistics, and psychology. The court ruled that the examiner may testify about class characteristics, but may not offer qualitative opinions on matters not adequately supported by the relevant scientific community, including …
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
Jan. 28, 2020 article in Science & Justice finding that bias occurs in non-blind peer reviewed bullet and cartridge case comparisons. Higher status examiners have a large influence on the outcome of a discussion. Blind peer review may reduce the probability of bias during peer review.
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
The importance of taking on prosecution forensic experts on behalf of clients cannot be overstated. It is no mystery how powerful forensic evidence is to jurors. Yet countless wrongful convictions are, in fact, the result of inaccurate, faulty, or unchallenged forensics. This practical workshop will prepare defense counsel to challenge unreliable expert testimony using a mock …
Taking Aim at Faulty Forensics: An NCDC Cross-Examination WorkshopRead More
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
The National Criminal Defense College will offer a program in Tucson, Arizona on challenging faulty forensic testimony. Tuition is $795.00. Program dates are January 16-18, 2020 at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law at Address: 1201 E. Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85721. Accommodations (not included in tuition) are offered at the Aloft …
2020 Taking Aim at Faulty Forensics: An NCDC Cross-Examination WorkshopRead More
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
Co-sponsored by the NC State Crime Laboratory & Office of Indigent Defense Services The NC State Crime Laboratory and NC Office of Indigent Defense Services will offer a free-to-attend CLE that is designed to enhance the knowledge of criminal defense attorneys and criminal defense investigators. Senior forensic scientists from the State Crime Lab will present updates …