|
The NCSTL.org forensic research database helps you find thousands of resources about forensic science & technology, the law of scientific evidence & expert witnesses, and more. Find:
|
Check out records about law enforcement technology in NCSTL's forensic database... learn more
|
|
• court decisions & legislation
• legal & scientific publications
• news & media
• websites & organizations
• educational opportunities
• webcasts & multimedia
|
|
Better than a general search engine, the unique NCSTL.org database instantly pinpoints focused results about forensic science & criminal justice.
|
 |
What's New At NCSTL ...
www.ncstl.org is used as a resource in over 170 countries
ON DEMAND 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
- Error Rate Testing: What Makes a Well Designed Study
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Black Box Error Rate Study
- Gunshot Residue Examination: A Current Perspective
- Cell Tower Electronic Evidence: Strengths and Limitations
- Firearms Examination: Strengths and Limitations
Each webinar can be watched on-demand through September 20, 2023. CLE credit will be given for each completed webinar. 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 enroll.
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.
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
|
A new grant in the amount of $400,000 was awarded to Stetson University College of Law for the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) to develop a forensic evidence training program for lawyers who work on death penalty cases.
“This training program is crucial at a time when life or death often hinges on the presentation of forensic evidence in the courtroom,” said NCSTL Founding Director and Professor of Law Carol Henderson.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Attorney General as part of the Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives, will support the development of a “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics” program. The new training program will provide in-person and webinar training on forensic science evidence and the use of expert testimony.
“Training in forensic evidence is essential to improve the quality of legal representation and to ensure reliable jury verdicts,” said Henderson. Stetson’s National Clearinghouse was developed to foster communication between the scientific, technological and legal communities, providing comprehensive scientific, technological and legal information to promote justice based on sound science and technology. The NCSTL has trained more than 13,500 legal and scientific professionals since its inception in-person and online. The NCSTL has released the following CLE/CE Programs: SANE-SART Training for Forensic Nurses, A Collaboration Between NCSTL and SANE-SART Resource Services, Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert, sponsored by National Institute of Justice (NIJ), housed on DNA.gov, billed by NIJ as "one of the most popular courses EVER", Forensic Science Course for Capital Litigators - Self-Study which focuses on forensic science. Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert has been a very popular course published on DNA.gov two years ago.
Under grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), NCSTL has conducted many training in-person workshops on the use of forensic science in capital cases over the past several years. See Education and Training Section of this website. In 2016, two more in-person workshops will be conducted for prosecutors and defense attorneys - who litigate capital cases.
This Web site is funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
|
|
|
NCSTL.org is the only online resource in the world that concentrates on the nexus of science, technology, and the law. Focusing on forensic science and scientific evidence, NCSTL.org educates and shares information with scientists, legal professionals, law enforcement, academics, and the public.
Learn more about NCSTL.org:
How we help you:
|
