For more information about presumptive and confirmatory tests, the School of Government has posted a 30 minute online program that you can view for free or for CLE credit
Resources
D.P. Lyle, MD, ABA Fundamentals: Forensic Science
Paul C. Giannelli et al., Scientific Evidence (5th ed.)
Larry E. Daniel & Lars E. Daniel, Digital Forensics for Legal Professionals: Understanding Digital Evidence From the Warrant to the Courtroom
Predicting and Preventing Wrongful Convictions
NIJ-funded research that looked at 460 violent felonies between 1980 and 2012 to determine what factors led to a wrongful conviction of an innocent defendant instead of dismissal or acquittal. Factors identified by researchers include: a younger defendant, a criminal history, a weak prosecution case, prosecution withheld evidence, lying by a non-eyewitness, unintentional witness misidentification, …
State v. Dail (unpublished)
No. COA 11-384 Defendant’s Brief contains caselaw regarding canine sniffs and Fourth Amendment protections.
State v. Trogdon
715 S.E.2d 635, N.C.App., September 20, 2011 (NO. COA10-1344) Defendant argued that the forensic odontologist improperly invaded the province of the jury by testifying that the defendant caused the bite mark on the child. The court held that even if the specific assertions that the defendant was the one who made the bite marks were …
Forensic Science: Why No Research?
by Paul C. Giannelli. This paper addresses the scientific, law enforcement and legal reasons for a lack of research across many forensic disciplines from a historical perspective as well as in light of the National Academy of Sciences’ report. Click on “one-click download” to view the full text article.
Ombudsman’s Report
Report submitted by Judge Vince Rozier during his time as Ombudsman to the SBI. The document includes a memo by Judge Joseph John responding to the recommendations of the Ombudsman. The report was released by the SBI in Aug. 2011.
Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome
NPR investigative report from June 29, 2011 by Joseph Shapiro. Link contains audio and text.
Greg Taylor Lawsuit
Civil complaint against former SBI agents/supervisors/directors Deaver, Taub, Nelson, Keaton and Elliot filed in U.S. District Court in Raleigh on June 28, 2011.
UNC School of Government Blog: Voluntary Intoxication
UNC School of Government Criminal Law blog post by Jeff Welty from June of 2011 about the voluntary intoxication defense in North Carolina.
UNC School of Government Blog: Voluntary IntoxicationRead More
Voluntary Intoxication, Mental Capacity, and Defensive Force: Eight Principles on Instructing the Jury
John Rubin, Professor of Public Law and Government at UNC School of Government authored this document in June of 2011.
North Carolina Civil Commitment Manual: Chapter 7, Automatic Commitment–Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Chapter 7 of the North Carolina Civil Commitment Manual (2nd Ed. 2011) focuses on insanity and provides information specific to North Carolina for defense attorneys about the legal effect of a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity plea, the legal definition of insanity, the offenses affected, and the burden of proof.
North Carolina Civil Commitment Manual: Chapter 8, Commitment of Defendants Found Incapable of Proceeding
Chapter 8 of the North Carolina Civil Commitment Manual (2nd Ed. 2011) focuses on incapacity to proceed and includes a helpful capacity and commitment flowchart in Appendix 8-1.