FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK... Carol Henderson

This column is a synopsis of what NCSTL has accomplished during the second quarter of 2011 and highlights new projects. This issue of It's Evident features articles related to "Recent Technological Advances in DNA, Fingerprints, and Toxicology”.

• http://www.ncstl.org’s “one-stop-shop” database currently holds almost 123,560 records of which over 7,700 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 12,300 people. Anjali Swienton, Director of Outreach, conducted a three-day Capital Litigation Training Workshop for defense attorneys in Plano, TX from June 6-8, 2011. Ms. Swienton chaired the workshop and presented "Evidence Identification, Collection and Preservation", “Forensic DNA”, and “CSI Effect”. She also participated in a Mock Trial at this training. Ellen Mizio, NCSTL Fellow, presented “Forensic Science Training for Capital Defense Attorneys,” in Plano, TX on June 6, 2011 during the Capital Litigation Training Workshop. Susan Zucker, Director of Technology & Distance Education, presented "NCSTL - A Local Resource on Expert Witnesses, DNA, Capital Litigation & CSI Effect" to 70 new lawyers who attended Public Defenders College statewide in St. Petersburg, FL on May 16, 2011. Diana Botluk, NCSTL Director of Research, and Ellen Mizio, NCSTL Fellow, presented “NCSTL.org: Forensic Library Without Walls” at the Southeastern Chapter of American Association of Law Libraries, in Columbia, SC on April 16, 2011.
  
  NCSTL receives regular media coverage. On June 15, 2011 Tom Sweeney, from Bay News 9, interviewed me about the Casey Anthony case. On June 6, 2011, New Yorker Magazine I was quoted in an article discussing how the ‘CSI Effect’ might have helped two police officers in NY beat a rape charge. And on April 11, 2011, I shared my legal expertise in an interview with the ABA Journal’s, Eric Gardner.
  
  
• NCSTL is nearing completion of the development of an online course entitled "Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert"; it is in the final proofing phase. 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 is housed on DNA.gov which is a public site.

The next issue of It's Evident will be published in October, 2011. The theme will be “Human Factors in Forensic Science”.

Wishing you all the best,
Carol

RESEARCH UPDATE

Advances in Toxicology
Ellen Mizio, MSLS, NCSTL Fellow

Scientists are constantly researching new methods to identify the presence of drugs and other substances more rapidly and efficiently. They also continue to seek ways to use different types of biological samples for analysis, with the goal of quicker results and less invasive methods of collecting samples. This article will discuss new methodologies in the field of forensic toxicology, as well as the use of different types of samples to identify exposure to drugs. Full paper.

Advances in Fingerprint Technology
Kristen Cohen, M.Ed., NCSTL Administrative Assistant

Since 1880, when Dr. Henry Faulds first published his paper on using fingerprints for identification purposes and recording them using printing ink¹, fingerprinting technology for the purpose of crime investigation has surpassed early twentieth-century law enforcement expectations. Currently, the technology utilized in the collection, identification, and storage of fingerprint technology for crime investigation has made great strides in the last five years. Full paper.

Advances in DNA
Alan Balfour, J.D., Ph.D., University of South Florida, and Susan Zucker, Ph.D., NCSTL Director Technology & Distance Education

Advances in DNA technology benefit law enforcement both corroborating allegations and providing fresh intelligence. Recent advances allow improved testing of old, degraded, or small samples of DNA. Full paper.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

In Light of the Caylee Anthony Case: The Influence of Forensic Evidence on Judges in the Courtroom
Michael Watkins, M.S. Criminology and Administration, and Susan Zucker, Ph.D., NCSTL Director of Technology & Distance Education

Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., Chief Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit in Florida, presided over the Casey Anthony trial. While it is not relevant to the determination of the case, it is interesting to speculate on Judge Belvin’s beliefs of what constituted sufficient proof to convict.

The juror’s determination of “not guilty” appears to be based on finding insufficient forensic evidence to convict despite the numerous pieces of evidence introduced by the prosecution. Some newer methods were referred to as “junk science” because it was not ready to be examined in court. Full paper.

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

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

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