Topic of Interest: Forensic Testimony, Smith v. Arizona

Date December 2023 Overview On September 29, 2023, the Supreme Court granted certiorari for the case of Smith v. Arizona (docket 22-899).1 The key question before the Court is “whether the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment permits the prosecution…

Virtual Workshop Series: Qualifications of an Expert Witness for Legal Professionals

Overview North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) hosted a two-part virtual workshop series on the Qualifications of an Expert Witness for Legal Professionals. This workshop series discussed topics surrounding qualifications of expert witnesses…

National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach Mobile App

Go MOBILE for FREE with the National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits App! Get the app here or search for “National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits” on the Google Play Store. Google Play and the Google Play logo…

Just Digital Evidence in the Courts of Appeals

Original Release Date: July 30, 2020 In episode three of our 2020 Digital Evidence season, Just Science interviews Martin Novak, a Computer Scientist with the National Institute of Justice, about digital evidence in the United States Court of Appeals. Digital…

Just A Public Defender’s Perspective

Original Release Date: July 23, 2020 In episode two of the 2020 Digital Evidence season, Just Science interviews Nicolas Hughes, assistant public defender with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Houston, TX, about the validation of tools utilized by…

Genome ID Forum 2014 – Legal Perspective on the Adoption of Advanced Technologies

Overview Originally presented at the 2014 Genome ID Forum, Ted Hunt, chief trial attorney in the prosecuting attorney’s office in Kansas City, Missouri, brings a fresh legal perspective to addressing the adoption of advanced DNA analysis technologies for forensic crime laboratories.…

Familial DNA Searching: Current Approaches – Part IV

Overview This four-part panel discussion series will elucidate the current landscape of policies and procedures addressing familial DNA searching. Part IV In this particular session, the discussion focused around current technical protocols including software considerations, candidate thresholds derived by likelihood…

Familial DNA Database Search System

Overview The Familial DNA Database Search System is a newly developed fully web enabled secure database search system to allow for DNA profile comparisons including those that define familial relationships. This system was developed in collaboration with practitioners from the…

ASCLD Webinar Series: FBI Allele Frequency – Managers & Legal Overview

Overview Crime Laboratories have earned a position of public trust over time through providing reliable quality results. Keeping public trust includes being self-correcting once an issue is discovered. The Federal Bureau of Investigation allele frequency amendments is an opportunity to…