FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK... Carol Henderson

This column is a synopsis of what NCSTL has accomplished during the first quarter of 2011 and highlights new projects.

• http://www.ncstl.org’s “one-stop-shop” database currently holds almost 119,550 records of which over 9,000 are multimedia records. NCSTL continues to develop and consolidate forensic-based information including webcasts, podcasts, vodcasts, blog links, and training materials which focus on science, technology and law topics;
  
  
• Thousands of people search the growing database, read most current forensic-related news in the Spotlight section and It's Evident, locate events on the NCSTL Calendar, explore Education & Training resources, listen to talks given by forensic experts featured in the Multimedia area of the homepage, and subscribe to NCSTL's RSS Feeds;
  
  
• To inform NCSTL's constituency, which includes law enforcement, legal professionals, scientists, engineers, educators, and technologists, NCSTL representatives make presentations and offer training on a multitude of topics. NCSTL has trained more than 12,200 people worldwide. Diana Botluk, Director of Outreach, presented “NCSTL.org and Forensic Research Resources” to the Arizona Forensic Science Academy in March, 2011. Anjali Swienton, Director of Outreach, conducted a two-day training for defense attorneys, “DNA for Defense”, in Tampa, FL in March, 2011. Ms. Swienton also presented “NCSTL, An Online Forensic Resource” to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in February, 2011. Carol Henderson, NCSTL Director, conducted an “Expert Witness Workshop” for the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office in January, 2011.
  
  
• NCSTL will complete the development of an online course entitled "Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert" in early May. The purpose of this module is to inform non-lawyers about policies, procedures, and protocols when serving as an expert witness and the ramifications and responsibilities therein. An extensive team comprised of legal experts, writers, editors, a graphic artist, a multimedia production company, an education specialist, and an instructional designer are producing this distance learning module. The project will be housed on DNA.gov which is a public site.
  
  
• NCSTL is pleased to sponsor its 2011 Guest Lecture Series held at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, FL. On March 31, 2011, Dr. Henry Lee, renowned forensic scientist, gave a lecture in the Great Hall. It was open to the public and the Stetson law community and was webcast and simulcast. You can view the presentation at www.ncstl.org

This issue of It's Evident features articles related to "Strategies Labs Use To Cope With Severe Budget Cuts” and DNA used by the defense. The next issue of It's Evident will be published in July, 2011. The theme will be “Recent Technological Advances in DNA, Fingerprints, and Toxicology”.

Wishing you all the best,
Carol

RESEARCH UPDATE
Skinner v. Switzer: The Peculiar Problem of Post-Conviction Access to DNA Evidence
Kevin Paget, JD, MBA, NCSTL Research Attorney

DNA evidence has been a point of contention between prosecutors and defense counsel for more than two decades, when DNA fingerprints were first admitted as evidence in courtroom.¹ In Skinner v Switzer, the fight over untested DNA evidence and prisoners' rights to access this potential exculpatory evidence, is explored. Full paper

California's Crime Lab Problems
Jeff Chesen, J.D., NCSTL Research Attorney

The California Crime Laboratory Review Task Force, comprised of crime lab directors, forensic specialists, law enforcement officials, academic experts and attorneys, was created by the California legislature in 2007.¹ This was chiefly because more than 250 million DNA samples from California criminals had not been tested.² Full paper

Review of the NCSTL training: DNA for the Defense
Diana Botluk, J.D., NCSTL Director of Research

On March 14-15, 2011, NCSTL was pleased to host the first DNA for Defense seminar. Eighty-seven criminal defense attorneys from across the United States gathered to learn about the use of DNA evidence in criminal cases. Full paper

Crime Laboratories Nationwide Feel the Pinch
Susan Zucker, Ph.D., NCSTL Director of Technology & Distance Education

Crime labs across the country are feeling pinched financially as states continue to experience budget shortfalls. Cutbacks in lab budgets can lead to layoffs and longer backlogs for DNA testing ... Full paper

FROM THE RESEARCH DESK...
Diana Botluk, J.D., Director of Research

Greetings! In March, NCSTL.org launched a new feature on its website. You can now chat live with an NCSTL researcher. More

Visit the NCSTL's Selected Books Added to the NCSTL Collection in the Stetson Library and the NCSTL's Special Collections. Borrow from the collections.

TECHNOLOGY AND DISTANCE EDUCATION NEWS
Susan Zucker, Ph.D., Director Technology & Distance Education and Publisher and Editor of It's Evident

Resources have been categorized by professional specialty so NCSTL constituency can more easily search for information valuable to them. Become NCSTL's fan on Facebook and a follower on Twitter.