NOTES
2009

NCSTL Advisory Council member, Judge Ron Reinstein, was featured in the article In Dependency Court, a Judge Comes Face to Face with the Biggest Threat to Children – Their Moms and Dads published in the Phoenix New Times on January 20, 2009.

2008

Papers about Science Debate 2008. Candidates answer top science questions. Issues include: innovation, climate change, energy, education, national security, pandemics and biosecurity, genetic research, stem cells, ocean health, water, space, scientific integrity, research, and health.

August, 2008
Trace Evidence Symposium sponosored by NIJ, August, 2009. Call for presenter abstracts is open.

New video segments added: Courthouse Canine Companions plus NAS podcasts.

March, 2008
A March 5 press release states a National Research Council study advises against creating a national database containing images of ballistic markings from all new and imported guns sold in the United States.

NEW to the Related Links section: Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community, a project of NAS (National Academy of Sciences) sponsored by NIJ.

January, 2008
Carol Henderson and Dr. Henry Lee appeared on the Montel Williams Show on January 17. Topic: “True Crime Body of Evidence”.

Added to Related Links in Forensic & Criminal Justice Resources, The Forensic Teacher Magazine, which contains forensic resources for teachers. Check it out!

July, 2007
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons Initiative, NamUs, was launched by the Office of Justice Program’s National Institute of Justice. Almost 13,500 Unidentified Human Remains on Record ... Press release, Justice Department Launches National Missing and Unidentified Persons Initative (NAMUS) ... Press release.

May, 2007
NCSTL Director and Stetson Law Professor, Carol Henderson, chosen as President-Elect of American Academy of Forensic Sciences ...

Director Carol Henderson participated in a web conference on Fingerprint Identification: The Role of Research in Fortifying the Forensic Sciences on May 10 from 2-4 pm. See Government Innovators Network.

November, 2006
Dr. Susan Zucker, Director of Technology & Distance Education, was a keynote speaker at The People Speak, held on November 15 at 7 p.m. at Stetson College of Law. She shared her thoughts on human rights.

Diana Botluk, Director of Research; Dr. Susan Zucker, Director Technology & Distance Education; and Catherine Guthrie and Marian Daggett, Staff Researchers, spoke to a Russian Delegation about NCSTL at Stetson College of Law on November 16.

The National Conference on Science, Technology and Law was held on November 2-5, 2006, at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Peterburg, Florida. Topics included: September, 2006
Director Carol Henderson featured on Court TV: June 19, May 26 and April 27.

Now offered by DNA.gov: Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court, a 15-minute online tutorial on the use of forensic DNA in judicial proceedings.

August, 2006
Director Carol Henderson is presenting “Forensic Science Literature and Resources – Lessons to be Learned” at the Actual Innocence Conference for Texas Judges, Prosecutors and Defense Lawyers in Plano, TX on August 18, 2006. Conference is sponsored by The Center for American and International Law and the American Judicature Society.

March, 2006
Live webcast was available at noon on March 13: Dr. James G. Young, M.D., "Terrorists, Hurricanes and Viruses: What’s Next?"

February, 2006
AAFS Annual Meeting: Seattle, WA, February 20-24, 2006. NCSTL had a booth #401 in the front of the exhibit hall. Greg Hill, Deputy Director, presented "Psychological & Legal Considerations for the Death Penalty in America: Justifiable Deterrent or Exercise in Futility?" in cooperation with the Psychiatry/Behavioral Science Section, February 21, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Room 613. Anjali Swienton, Director of Outreach, presented "DNA for the Non Scientist" with Greg Hampikian, forensic scientist, February 21.

December, 2005
Carol Henderson, NCSTL Director, presented to the Pinellas County State Legislative Delegation, Safety Harbor, FL – December 1, 2005.

Carol Henderson, NCSTL Director, presented “How Lawyers Dig Up Dirt on Experts: Dissecting and Analyzing the Expert” to the Arizona State Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, AZ – November 21, 2005.

Carol Henderson, NCSTL Director, presented information on the Clearinghouse to Vice Deans from Universidad de Granada, Gulfport, FL – November 14, 2005.

Elizabeth Fitterman, Staff Researcher, attended the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences, Forensic Science: The Nexus of Science and the Law and participated in a poster session about the NCSTL in Washington, D.C. on November 16-18, 2005.

November, 2005
Carol Henderson, NCSTL Director and Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law, presented information about the NCSTL in Taiwan at the International Forensic Science Symposium on November 7-12 during her keynote address: “The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law: A Resource for the International Scientific, Technological and Legal Communities”. Dr. Henry Lee, forensic expert, was the Honorary Chair.

National Conference on Science, Technology and the Law hosted by NCSTL and NIJ and co–sponsored by The American Bar Association, Criminal Justice and Science and Technology Sections; the International Association of Chiefs of Police – Forensics Committee; and National District Attorneys Association, was held in St. Petersburg, FL on September 12–14. Attendees came from 25 states, 3 countries, and included a delegation of Russian judges. Click conference information for details. A CD of the Powerpoint presentations as well as a DVD of the conference proceedings will be available in early 2006.

October, 2005
Dr. Susan Zucker, NCSTL Director Technology & Distance Education, will present “Targeted Learners: What is Best for Them" at the ELearn Conference in Vancouver, BC on October 28.

Anjali Swienton, NCSTL Director of Outreach, spoke on October 1 about the influence DNA has had on solving murder cases, on radio program, Weekend America. To access click on RSS/podcost in upper right corner, scroll down almost to the bottom to "Download", click on "Hour 2". The interview begins ~9 mins 40 sec into the program.

Visit Open World for some great photos of the Russian Delegation and NCSTL/Stetson. Under "Hosting News", click on September 10 "A Delegation in Pictures".

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, and Gregory Hill, NCSTL Deputy Director, attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Miami, Florida on September 24-28. Director Henderson presented as part of the IACP Forensics Commission Round Table.

Valerie Stewart, NCSTL Advisory Council, and Dr. Susan Zucker, NCSTL Director Technology and Distance Education, wrote Sharing Knowledge to Promote Justice, featured in the August issue of the Federal Lawyer.

August, 2005
New to the NCSTL research database: forensic engineering, arson/fire debris, explosives, bioterrorism, cybercrime, and law enforcement technology including communications/interoperability and vehicles/personal equipment.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, participated on a panel discussing "Forensic Evidence: The Key to Justice in Wrongful Convictions" at the 17th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences from 9:00-9:20 a.m. on August 24 in Hong Kong, China.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University, presented the keynote lecture "National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law" at the 17th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences from 9:00-9:30 a.m. on August 26 in Hong Kong, China.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, will deliver the keynote speech at the 2005 International Forensic Science Symposium “The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law: A Resource for the International Scientific, Technological and Legal Communities” in November, 2005 in Taipei City, Taiwan.

July, 2005
Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, and Anjali Swienton, Director of Outreach, were part of a panel presentation on "CSI Meets the Courts: The Brave New World of Forensic Technology" at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting on August 6 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel in Chicago, IL.

Catherine Guthrie, Law and Science Fellow, presented " New Technology and Legal Challenges Affecting 21st Century Death Investigation" at the Florida Association of Medical Examiners (FAME) Conference on August 11 in Key Biscayne, FL.

Greg Hill, Deputy Director, presented "The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology & the Law" at the International Association for Identification’s 90th International Educational Conference on August 11 in Dallas, TX.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, presented "Forensic Evidence: The Key to Justice in Wrongful Convictions" to the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners on August 13 at the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal in Montreal, Canada.

Dr. Susan Zucker, Director Technology and Distance Education, presented "Forensic science education for the civil and criminal justice communities" at the 21st Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning on August 4th, in Madison, WI.
Greg Hill, Deputy Director, presented "NSTL: Forensic Evidence Resources & Opportunities for Law Enforcement", at the 27th Annual National Association of Police Organizations on Sunday, July 24th, in New Orleans, LA. NAPO represents over 236,000 sworn law enforcement officers; 11,000 retired officers; and 100,000 citizen members.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, was part of a national panel about forensic evidence and the "CSI Effect" in an American Bar Association teleconference July 20 at 1 p.m. The panel is comprised of Professor Henderson and Cynthia Cwik, partner in Latham and Watkins in San Diego, and James Starrs, George Washington University law professor.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, was quoted in the July ABA Journal in an article by Mark Hansen titled, "The Uncertain Science of Evidence. " She discusses the "CSI Effect." The article is going to be the topic of a nationwide ABA CLE Teleconference on July 20, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. (ET). Director Henderson, Professor James Starrs, and Cynthia Cwik are the panelists.

Professor Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, was one of four editors and wrote the chapter, "Qualifications, Testimony and Malpractice" for the Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine published this month by Academic Press (London).

Professor Henderson extends her thanks to Brittan Mitchell, NCSTL Law and Science Fellow, for assisting with the editing of the Encyclopedia.

Elizabeth Fitterman, Staff Researcher, represented NCSTL at the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) conference in Portland, Maine, from June 15-20.

June, 2005
Carol Henderson , Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, and Law and Science Fellow, Brittan Mitchell, wrote the chapter, "Legal and Ethical Aspects of Bloodstain Pattern Evidence," in Scientific and Legal Applications of Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation (2d ed., Stuart James, ed. 2005). The book was published this month.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, was invited to join the International Advisory Board for the 17th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences. She will make a presentation at the meeting in Hong Kong on August 21-26, 2005.

Dr. Susan Zucker, Director of Technology and Distance Education, wrote "Forensic science education for the civil and criminal justice communities". The paper was accepted by the 21st Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning and is being submitted to the QRDE (Quarterly Review of Distance Education) for publication.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, presented "How Lawyers Dig Up Dirt on Experts: Dissecting and Analyzing the Expert" at SEAK 14th Annual National Expert Witness Conference in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on June 16, 2005.

Anjali Swienton, Director of Outreach, presented "DNA 101: What the Laboratory Can and Cannot Do for You" at the Third Annual SART Conference in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2005.

Forensic Nursing has been added to the list of more than thirty key areas for which NCSTL is assembling research holdings.

May, 2005
Diana Botluk, Director of Research, and Brittan Mitchell, Law and Science Fellow, published a web journal article for LLRX.com, "Getting a Grip on the CSI Effect: The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law". It was published over the weekend. The url is www.llrx.com.

Greg Hill, Deputy Director, presented to the IACP-LEIM in Greensboro, North Carolina on May 26, 2005.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, presented "Courtroom Testimony Workshop" to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff office, fifteen local law enforcement agencies and FBI in Louisiana on May 19, 2005.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, presented information on the Clearinghouse on Wednesday, May 18 in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. On Thursday, May 19 she presented a seminar on Expert Courtroom Testimony. NCSTL would like to extend its thanks to Sheriff Harry Lee and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for providing an opportunity to meet and present to the law enforcement community in and around Jefferson Parish.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, addressed the 7th World Police Medical Officers Conference in Dunblane, Scotland on May 10, 2005.

Carol Henderson, Director of NCSTL, Visiting Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law and Professor at Nova Southeastern University, was interviewed live by Fox National News in Tampa on "The CSI Effect". The air date is May 7, 2005.

Greg Hill, Deputy Director, presented to the Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission, Executive Committee in Tampa, Florida on May 3, 2005.

NCSTL was featured in an article entitled, "The CSI Effect: How TV is Driving Jury Verdicts All Across America" in U.S. News & World Report on April 25, 2005.

Thanks to Dr. Jim Sewell and members of the Florida Criminal Justice and Standards Training Commission for providing the opportunity to present NCSTL's "Forensic Evidence Policy Review" project during its Tampa meeting.