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Complementary Webinar Series - Free CLE Credit
Bringing together the most topical information presented by renowned subject matter experts, NCSTL is providing a BJA-sponsored 6-part webinar series designed to train prosecutors and defense attorneys on the most current forensic science research and trends and their impact on legal considerations.
Topics presented in the Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training: Current Research and Trends webinar series:
- Evaluation of Forensic Science Contributions to Erroneous Convictions - July 21st
- Error Rate Testing: What Makes a Well Designed Study - July 28th
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Black Box Error Rate Study - August 17th
- Gunshot Residue Examination: A Current Perspective - August 25th
- Cell Tower Electronic Evidence: Strengths and Limitations - September 8th
- Firearms Examination: Strengths and Limitations - September 13th
Each webinar will be presented live via Zoom or can be watched on-demand. CLE credit will be given per webinar whether attended live or on-demand. It is not required to view every webinar in the series, although we hope you will be able to view all the valuable information presented in this webinar series. Register to attend.
NCSTL Mourns the Passing of Professor Carol Henderson
The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law is saddened to announce the passing of our Founding Director, Professor Carol Henderson. While it is both a personal and professional loss for the NCSTL staff, we know that her passing is felt just as deeply among her worldwide circle of colleagues and friends. For more information about honoring Carol’s memory, please check the online memorial site.
Webinars On Demand
Under the Capital Litigation Initiative, the Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics series currently offers eleven on-demand webinars on the following topics: crime scene processing, crime labs, pathology, toxicology, fire analysis, document examination, OSAC, certification/accreditation, electronic evidence, forensic psychology, and drug chemistry. Earn CLE credit as you watch these complimentary webinars. View more information and a full list of webinars.
NCSTL Offers Live Train The Trainer Seminars
NCSTL is hosting a complimentary seminar series called Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics: Train the Trainer. These live training seminars are part of the Capital Litigation Initiative Training. These two-day training seminars will focus on providing forensic information for people who will take that information back to their offices to teach their colleagues. Intended for defense attorneys and prosecutors who actively try capital cases, the interactive seminar will cover a variety of forensic topics with an emphasis on how to teach them. Keep checking back for information about the next live training opportunities.
Attendees will earn CLE credit. Registration and travel expenses will be provided for all eligible attendees. These seminars are made possible by BJA Grant # 2015-CP-BX-K006. More information can be found in the Training and Education section of the NCSTL website.
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.”
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 training materials and on demand webinar OSAC Essentials: Forensic Science Resources.
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
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