by Roland AH van Oorschot etal. Investigative Genetics (2010). In a very accessible way, this article describes issues associated with what is often called “touch DNA.” Topics covered include evidence collection, DNA extraction, amplification, profiling and interpretation of trace DNA samples.
Resources
State v. Rawls, 700 S.E.2d 112 (2010)
In State v. Rawls, 700 S.E.2d 112 (2010), the Court of Appeals held that “show-ups” are distinct from line-ups, and, therefore, are not subject to the guidelines set out in EIRA. Rather, the court applied the North Carolina common law test for determining if the show-up was proper which is a two-step inquiry described above: (1) …
Do Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Concentrations Indicate Recent Use in Chronic Cannabis Users?
Addiction. 2009 December: 104(12):2040-2048. This study finds that THC concentrations persist in whole blood multiple days after drug discontinuation in heavy chronic cannabis users.
Invalid Forensic Science Testimony and Wrongful Convictions
by Brandon Garrett and Peter Neufeld, Virginia Law Review, Vol. 95, No. 1 (2009) – a study of the forensic science testimony by prosecution experts in the trials persons later exonerated by post-conviction DNA testing.
Invalid Forensic Science Testimony and Wrongful ConvictionsRead More
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 179-182 for the National Research Counsel’s evaluation of Digital and Multimedia Analysis.
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 128-133 for the National Research Counsel’s description of the forensic use of Deoxyribonucleic acid
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 241-268 for the National Research Council’s assessment of the disciplines of forensic pathology and death investigation.
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 173-176 for the National Research Council’s evaluation of forensic odontology. The report finds “there is continuing dispute over the value and scientific validity of comparing and identifying bite marks.” p. 173. The report lists the following concerns: “Bite marks on the skin will change over time”; Bite marks “can be distorted by the elasticity …
Strenthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward
2009 report by the National Academy of Sciences (known as the NAS Report) which found serious problems in forensic science research and practice and recommended an overhaul of the current structure that supports the forensic science community.
Strenthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path ForwardRead More
James Shellow, Cross-Examination of the Analyst in Drug Prosecutions
Ross M. Gardner & Tom Bevel, Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 136-150 for the National Research Council’s assessment of the discipline of fingerprint analysis. The 2009 NAS Report cited “a thorough analysis of the ACE-V method” that concluded: “‘We have reviewed available scientific evidence of the validity of the ACE-V method and found none.’” pp. 142-143 (citation omitted).
George L. Bianchi et al., Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence (2d ed.)
Suggestive Eyewitness Identification Procedures and the Supreme Court’s Reliability Test in Light of Eyewitness Science: 30 Years Later
by Gary Wells and Deah Quinlivan, Law Hum Behav (2009) 33:1-24.
Burton v. Kentucky, 300 S.W.3d 126 (Ky. 2009)
Testimony from a DRE was improper where the DRE did not personally observe the defendant but instead based his opinion on review of records.