Fall 2020 law review article by John Lentini addressing how to defend someone accused of arson.
Featured Articles
Trying Mitochondrial DNA Cases
Prepared by the Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office
Trying Y-STR DNA Cases
Information prepared by the Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office
Cosmetic Trace Evidence
A tissue containing a faint stain was submitted to determine if evidence of a make-up stain was present. Although the tissue had been previously analyzed by another laboratory (to no avail) and only a single, barely stained area of the tissue remained, we were able to use light and electron microscopy to characterize the particles …
(Mis)use of scientific measurements in forensic science
Article by Itiel Dror and Nicholas Scurich on the insufficient attention or weight that has been given to inconclusive evidence and inconclusive decisions in forensic science error rate studies.
(Mis)use of scientific measurements in forensic scienceRead More
The Law and Science of Eyewitness Evidence
Aug. 2020 article by Brandon Garrett and Thomas Albright that examines how the science of eyewitness identifications has informed the law. The article looks state-by-state at legal precedent, legislative action, and police reforms related to eyewitness evidence. Available for free download.
UNC School of Government Blog: Capacity, Commitment, and COVID-19
April 13, 2020 blog post by John Rubin
UNC School of Government Blog: Capacity, Commitment, and COVID-19Read More
Behavioral Science Briefs
Board-certified forensic psychologists Dr. Daniel J. Neller and Dr. Maureen L. Reardon regularly review the latest contents of hundreds of scholarly journals in the behavioral sciences; analyze studies of greatest benefit to trial attorneys; and present key findings in a concise and simple format. 2020Volume 1Volume 2Volume 3
Summary: The Little Rascals Daycare Case
PBS Frontline (1997). Summary of the Little Rascal Daycare Case.
UNC School of Government Blog: Diminished Capacity
Jeff Welty discusses the increasing use of diminished capacity defenses in North Carolina. Post provides helpful cites of recent North Carolina cases in which the diminished capacity defense was used.
Evidence on Fire: North Carolina Law Review Article on the Admissibility of Fire-Science Evidence in Criminal Cases
Valena E. Beety et. al, Evidence on Fire, 97 N.C. L. Rev. 483, 516 (March 2019)
Psychological Assessments in Legal Contexts: Are Courts Keeping “Junk Science” Out of the Courtroom?
The Association for Psychological Science published a review by Tess Neal, Christopher Slobogin, Michael Saks, David Faigman, and Kurt Geisinger on the psychological assessment tools used by forensic psychologists. The study found 67% are generally accepted in the field and only about 40% have generally favorable reviews of their psychometric and technical properties. The study …
Cognitive Biases in the Peer Review of Bullet and Cartridge Case Comparison Casework: A Field Study
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.
NIST Tests Forensic Methods for Getting Data From Damaged Mobile Phones
This study looks at two methods for accessing data on damaged mobile phones.
NIST Tests Forensic Methods for Getting Data From Damaged Mobile PhonesRead More
Obtaining Medical Records in DWI Cases
Jan. 27, 2020 North Carolina Criminal Law blog post by Shea Denning