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NCSTL Offers Electronic Evidence Essentials Webinar Monday, February 12th at 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what electronic evidence is or how to use it in litigation?
Stetson Law's National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law is offering a complimentary webinar for prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys on Electronic Evidence Essentials on February 12, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Electronic Evidence Essentials includes a general and legal overview of what electronic evidence is and the importance of electronic evidence in courtroom proceedings.
Center for American and International Law (CAIL) Videos on Actual Innocence and Habeas Issues Now Available
The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to improving the quality of justice through the education of lawyers and law enforcement officials in the United States and throughout the world. Recently CAIL held its annual program on Actual Innocence in Plano, TX. Videos from this program are available below thanks to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and CAIL.
Access CAIL Recordings: Annual Program on Actual Innocence here.
Enter Password: cg@AnnEstREC17!#@#
Access CAIL Recordings: Actual Innocence - Habeas Issues here.
Enter Password: cg@HaBREC17!#@#
These programs were held and recorded at The Center for American & International Law (CAIL) with funds from a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The recordings are available here for informational purposes only. No MCLE credit is available for viewing.
Learn More About the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science works to strengthen the nation’s use of forensic science by facilitating the development of technically sound forensic science standards and by promoting the adoption of those standards by the forensic science community.
These standards are written documents that define minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols, and other guidance to help ensure that the results of forensic analysis are reliable and reproducible.
OSAC is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), but the great majority of its more than 550 members are from other government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. These members have expertise in twenty-five specific forensic disciplines, as well as general expertise in scientific research, measurement science, statistics, law, and policy.
To learn more about OSAC, forensic sciences and their place in the ever changing legal landscape, view our on demand webinar OSAC Essentials: Forensic Science Resources.
NCSTL Offered Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Webinar September 26
NCSTL offered the next installment in its series of Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics webinars. OSAC Essentials: Forensic Science Resources, was presented on September 26th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Webinar panelists included: Ken Melson, Mark Stolorow and Hon. Christopher Plourd.
The on-demand webinar and course materials can be found in the Training and Education section of the NCSTL website.
The on-demand webinar is free and attendees who complete the course are eligible for CLE credit. This webinar was made possible by BJA Grant #2015-CP-BX-K006.
First NSF-NIJ Supported Forensic Science Center Launched
According to an article in FIU News, “Florida International University (FIU) is in partnership with four universities to develop the next generation of forensic science tools for government agencies, non-profits and private industry.
The Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) partnership received National Science Foundation (NSF) support to create a new Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science, the first NSF-supported center addressing these challenges. Funding for the center is provided in partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research, development and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The new center will draw heavily on the expertise of FIU and its partners, George Washington University and Northeastern University, in the areas of forensic chemistry, forensic microbiology, forensic molecular biology, and forensic psychology. A second site led by the University of South Alabama and its partner, Texas A&M University, will focus on digital forensics and data analysis as well as microbial and decomposition forensics.”
Justice Department Considers Revamp of Federal Standards for Forensic Evidence
In an article posted on pbs.org, Sadie Gurman of the AP writes, “The Justice Department is trying to shore up faltering confidence in forensic science and how its experts describe their findings in court, a push that comes months after similar efforts dating to the Obama administration were derailed.
The department said [] it is reviving work on federal standards for forensic expert testimony, an effort initiated following revelations in 2015 that FBI experts had overstated the strength of evidence involving microscopic hair analysis in hundreds of cases dating back decades.
Longstanding concerns remain about the reliability of certain forensics evidence in criminal cases across the country, as research increasingly shows that techniques such as comparisons of hair found at crime scenes, handwriting analyses, bite-mark evidence and certain ballistics tests are scientifically flawed.”
New Technology Uses DNA to Create Composite Sketches
According to an article in the Vancouver Sun by Lori Culbert, “Vancouver police have for the first time used an innovative technology that allowed them to create a composite sketch based on DNA found at the crime scene of an unsolved murder. They hope the picture will lead to fresh tips in the 2003 case.
The Snapshot analysis service — developed by Virginia-based Parabon — uses DNA to estimate the colour of an individual’s hair, skin and eyes, as well as face shape, and then creates an image that should look similar to the person.
The composite is a scientific approximation of what the man police are searching for looked like, and not an exact replica of his appearance. Because DNA can’t tell how old or heavy-set a person is, Parabon’s composites show what people should look like at age 25 and at an average weight. Facial hair, scars and whether the person wore glasses are also unknowns.
Parabon developed this technology several years ago, funded by the United States Department of Defense. Skeptics have questioned how accurate the composites can be, but company officials say they are intended to provide enough of a likeness of a person to jog the memories of witnesses or to help police decide which suspects to focus on.”
The SciTech Lawyer Magazine - Future Focus for Forensic Science
NCSTL is pleased to announce the newest issue of The SciTech Lawyer, an ABA publication from the Section of Science & Technology Law, is now available. This special issue is edited by the Director of NCSTL, Carol Henderson, and features several articles written by NCSTL staff and frequent collaborators including Diana Botluk, Eileen Fynan, Jules Epstein and John Lentini. This issue deals with the future focus of many forensic science disciplines.
In the wake of the 2009 NAS report on forensic sciences and the recent termination of the National Commission on Forensic Science, the legal implications of forensic science disciplines are at a crossroads. From reliability to admissibility to properly training the judiciary about forensic sciences, a variety of new issues are rapidly emerging.
NCSTL Offered Fire Analysis and Document Examination Webinar June 28
NCSTL offered the next installment in its series of Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics webinars. Forensic Science Essentials: Challenges in Fire Analysis and Document Examination, was presented on June 28th from noon to 2:00 p.m. The on-demand webinar and course materials can be found in the Training and Education section of the NCSTL website.
The on-demand webinar is free and attendees who complete the course are eligible for CLE credit. This webinar was made possible by BJA Grant #2015-CP-BX-K006.
NCSTL Offers Live Seminar in Phoenix June 12-13
NCSTL presented a live training seminar in the Capital Litigation Initiative: Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training series. This two-day training seminar took place on June 12-13, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona. More information and course materials can be found in the Training and Education section of the NCSTL website.
Intended for defense attorneys and prosecutors who actively try capital cases, the seminar covered forensic science basics, report writing, digital forensics, challenging evidence, discovery material, preparing for trial, expert witnesses, and the NAS Report.
Attendees earned CLE credit. Registration and travel expenses were provided for all eligible attendees. This seminar was made possible by BJA Grant # 2015-CP-BX-K006.
NCSTL Would Like to Announce Dr. Jose R. Almirall as our 'Scientist in Residence'
NCSTL would like to welcome Dr. Jose R. Almirall as our current Scientist in Residence.
Dr. Almirall is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Director of the International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) at Florida International University. He was a practicing forensic scientist at the Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Laboratory for 12 years, where he testified in over 100 criminal cases in state and federal courts prior to his academic appointment at FIU in 1998. The interests of Dr. Almirall's research group include fundamental analytical chemistry and the development of analytical chemistry tools for use in forensic science including materials analysis, trace detection and analysis of drugs and explosives.
Dr. Almirall is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the founding chairman of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the AAFS, past Chair of the FBI-sponsored Scientific Working Group on Materials (SWGMAT) Glass subgroup, a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences and was appointed to serve on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Department of Forensic Science Commonwealth of Virginia by two different governors of the State of Virginia. Dr. Almirall has served as a consultant to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on forensic science matters.
NCSTL Offered Toxicology Webinar May 31
NCSTL offered the next installment in its series of Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics webinars. Toxicology Essentials: Emphasis Opioids, was conducted on May 31 from noon to 2:00 p.m. More information can be found on the NCSTL website.
The webinar is free and attendees will earn CLE credit. Apply for registration.
This webinar was made possible by BJA Grant #2015-CP-BX-K006.
Wecht Institute to Honor Famed Criminalist
The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University honored the work and career of Dr. Henry Lee, one of the world’s foremost criminalists, known for his work on the O.J. Simpson, Laci Peterson, JonBenet Ramsey, Caylee Anthony and Vince Foster cases, among others. Dr. Lee, who holds a Ph.D., was honored at the inaugural Pioneers of Forensic Science Conference on June 1-2 at Duquesne.
Dr. Lee, Connecticut’s Chief Emeritus of Scientific Services, has served as that state’s commissioner of public safety, Forensic Science Laboratory Director and Chief Criminalist. He is founder of the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science and is the namesake of its Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. Dr. Lee also serves as editor of several academic journals and has authored more than 30 books.
A full program agenda can be found here. Visit the conference website here for more information, such as registration, cost and continuing education credits.
New Grant Awarded to NCSTL
The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, has been awarded an additional $400,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. This additional funding, part of BJA's Capital Litigation Initiative, allows NCSTL to expand its production of Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics live seminars and webinars. These sessions are designed to educate death penalty litigators, both prosecution and defense, in forensic sciences.
New online course offered: Locating, Evaluating and Selecting Expert Witnesses
The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law and The Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) at the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Public Service have launched an innovative online course Locating, Evaluating and Selecting Expert Witnesses.
The course has been approved for 3.5 General CLE credits and .5 CLE Ethics credits, 3.5 P.O.S.T. credits for law enforcement professionals and 1 American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) recertification credit. The course uses video clips in addition to lecture and PowerPoint to deliver an engaging type of CLE/CE. The course also demonstrates how the NCSTL database, which has over one million visitors from over 170 countries, may be used for research in scientific evidence.
This online course focuses on:
- Factors that influence the selection of an expert
- The importance of investigating an expert's credentials
- How to make an informed decision of an expert's credibility
- Legal standards of admissibility of scientific evidence
- Attorney's ethics in dealing with experts
Register for the course.
NCSTL and LEIC are recipients of the prestigious August Vollmer Excellence in Forensic Science Award for Innovation in Forensic Technology (2010 and 2007 respectively) from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Our two organizations have collectively trained over 43,500 lawyers, judges, law enforcement professionals, and forensic scientists.
PCAST Report -- Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature Comparison Methods
PCAST, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, released a report on September 20, 2016, discussing the role of scientific validity in the legal system. The report, Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods, evaluated validity of seven areas:
DNA analysis of single-source and simple-mixture samples
DNA analysis of complex-mixture samples
Bitemark anaysis
Latent fingerprint analysis
firearms analysis
footwear anaylsis
hair analysis
The report concludes by making several recommendations to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Organization for Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), the FBI Laboratory, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Judiciary.
Several organizations responded to the PCAST Report, including:
For more information on the PCAST Report, see https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2016/09/20/pcast-releases-report-forensic-science-criminal-courts
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
NCSTL has forged associations with international centers of forensic excellence. Congratulations are due to two of NCSTL’s international colleagues, Professor Sue Black and Professor Claude Roux for their recent outstanding awards.
Professor Sue Black, OBE, FRSE, PhD (University of Aberdeen) and Director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee was named to lead the new Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee. The University was granted a £ 10 million award by the Leverhulme Trust to establish a research center aimed at shaping the future of forensic science. Earlier this year, Professor Black and her colleague, Professor Niamh Nic Daeid organized The Royal Society's Meeting, “The Paradigm Shift for UK Forensic Science” and led the working group meeting that followed at Chicheley Hall during which a small group of international judges, scientists, policy makers, and lawyers met to discuss the current scientific landscape, and to identify research gaps and make suggestions for additional research in law and science.
Professor Claude Roux, BSc, PhD (University of Lausanne, Switzerland), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney was awarded the prestigious Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Research Impact. The award acknowledged the outstanding contributions made by Dr. Roux's research outside the academic community. Examples of Dr. Roux’s accomplishments, among others, are new cutting-edge and validated methods and techniques for the analysis of forensic evidence, in particular in the areas of trace evidence and fingerprint detection and leading the development of a new discipline, forensic intelligence. Dr. Roux’s work has been fundamental to the development of forensic science in Australia over the past 20 years.
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