North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services
// by Sarah Olson
Explains the history of the Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma diagnosis, discusses the ongoing debates around this diagnosis, reviews and critiques the scientific literature supporting the diagnosis, and discusses the appropriateness of testimony related to SBS/AHT under the Daubert standard. The full text article is available for free download by clicking the “download this paper” …
Shaken Baby Syndrome, Abusive Head Trauma, and Actual Innocence: Getting It RightRead More
// by Sarah Olson
This book by Professor David. A. Harris looks at why wrongful convictions occur and seeks to explain why law enforcement and prosecutors resist adopting improved forensic practices. The first chapter can be downloaded for free by clicking on the “Download This Paper” button. Available in the IDS Forensic Resource Library.
Failed Evidence: Why Law Enforcement Resists ScienceRead More
// by Sarah Olson
This manual was written by a group of experienced defense attorneys and DNA experts. Its approach to basic and advanced topics is easy to understand. In addition to explaining the science and techniques of DNA analysis, the manual offers advice on topics such as opening and closing statements, jury selection, and cross examination.
// by Alec Rees
April 2012 report created by the Incapacity to Proceed Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly which includes the Committee’s findings and recommendations for future capacity to proceed legislation.
Report from the Incapacity to Proceed Committee of the North Carolina General AssemblyRead More
// by Sarah Olson
The Circuit Court for Carroll County, Maryland held that DRE evidence should be excluded. The court held that identification and classification by DREs “is not generally accepted as valid and reliable in the relevant scientific community.” See the opinion for a summary of expert testimony regarding DRE examinations which raises questions about the accuracy of …
// by Sarah Olson
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
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
// by Sarah Olson
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, …
// by Sarah Olson
No. COA 11-384 Defendant’s Brief contains caselaw regarding canine sniffs and Fourth Amendment protections.
// by Sarah Olson
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 …
// by Sarah Olson
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.
// by Sarah Olson
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.
// by Sarah Olson
NPR investigative report from June 29, 2011 by Joseph Shapiro. Link contains audio and text.