Focuses on standards and guidelines related to the investigation, analyses and interpretation of crime scenes where arson or use of explosives is suspected. This OSAC has replaced what was the Technical Working Group for Fire and Explosions.
Websites
The Arson Research Project
This criminal justice research project has a mission of examining the reliability of evidence used in the investigation and prosecution of arson and identifying convictions obtained based on unreliable evidence.
Expert Testimony about Eyewitness Identification
Jeff Welty’s Dec. 5, 2016 blog post contains relevant case cites and discussion of the topic of eyewitness identification expert testimony.
NIST 3D Ballistics Research Database
Information about a new research database and techniques used in firearm-toolmark comparisons.
Evolutions in DNA Forensics
Law and Technology Resources for Legal Professionals compiled this list of books, articles, and other publications that treat different aspects of DNA evidence, including DNA databases, forensic interpretation of DNA evidence, 4th and 5th Amendment concerns, and more.
Supreme Court Upholds Taking DNA Upon Arrest
UNC School of Government blog post by Jeff Welty on the Supreme Court case Maryland v. King which allows the taking of DNA from arrestees.
Supreme Court: Alert by a Trained or Certified Drug Dog Normally Provides Probable Cause
UNC School of Government blog post by Jeff Welty that explains the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 holding in Florida v. Harris. Harris holds that when a trained and certified drug dog alerts on a vehicle, that normally provides probable cause to search the car, even if there are no records regarding the dog’s performance in the field. …
Supreme Court: Alert by a Trained or Certified Drug Dog Normally Provides Probable CauseRead More
Experts in Child Sex Cases: Reversible Error in a Recent Case
UNC School of Government blog post by Jessica Smith
Experts in Child Sex Cases: Reversible Error in a Recent CaseRead More
Expert Testimony: “The Child Was Sexually Abused”
UNC School of Government blog post by Jessica Smith
Dog Sniffs of People and the Fourth Amendment
UNC School of Government blog post by Shea Denning that examines the status of dog sniffs under the Fourth Amendment as it applies to searches of individuals if a dog alerts to the person.
Showups Aren’t Lineups
UNC School of Government blog post by Jeff Welty on State v. Rawls which held that show-ups are not covered by the Eyewitness Identification Reform Act.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Video Collection
Over 500 video clips were made of blood spatter experiments that are typically performed by individuals attending a basic bloodstain pattern analysis course. The videos were made possible through a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) grant and are available to be viewed or downloaded. The principal investigators were Terry Laber, Bart Epstein, and Dr. Michael Taylor.
Forensic Sciences: Review of Status and Needs
February 1999 report by the National Institute of Justice that addresses the challenges facing the forensic science profession. Contains analysis and recommendations that complement the 2009 National Academy of Sciences report.