This training program will aid those working to defend persons accused of homicide in drug-related overdose deaths. Each section of the program focuses on a different aspect of these cases. CLE is not available for this program.

"Making Sense of Science XIII"

LOCATION: Online Web Training
DATES: On Demand; Access any time

Implicit racial bias in forensic testimony cannot be ignored as a primary driver of injustice. Janis Puracal discusses how implicit racial bias can impact forensic testimony, and she shares her family’s story.

Most types of forensics lack the statistical backing that nuclear DNA tests have. Nonetheless, the general public believes that fingerprinting, for example, is as reliable or even more reliable than DNA testing. What should be the response in the courtroom?

Richard Miletic discusses the types of data that can be extracted from a cellphone (including call history and accessed Wi-Fi networks) and from cloud accounts (including texts, emails, and location history). In addition, he lists the data stored by phone companies (location of serving cell tower and estimation of target phone location).

Handwriting and/or signature samples (exemplars) described. Academic journal article. 

Comments to the American Society for Testing and Materials regarding proposed standard ASTM WK72597: New Standard Guide for the Microscopical Examination of Human Hair.

Presented by Dr. Glenn Langenburg (Elite Forensic Services, LLC), and Eric Ray (Ray Forensics) and hosted by Mark Satawa (Satawa Law PLLC)

NACDL's statement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations regarding the need for reliable, accredited, transparent forensic science to ensure proper due process in criminal cases.

In recent years, prosecutors have increasingly relied on forensic science to secure criminal convictions. There has been a growing skepticism, however, about the supposed infallibility of some forensic sciences. Janis Puracal and Aliza Kaplan provide a general framework for challenges to these forensic disciplines, pointing out some of the ways attorneys can raise challenges pretrial, at trial, or after conviction.

Law enforcement has started to use genetic genealogy websites to try to identify suspects in cold cases. How does genetic genealogy work? What should defense attorneys look for if forensic genetic genealogy is used in their cases?

“Surreptitious DNA sample” refers to the collection and analysis of DNA from a person without the person’s knowledge and without coercion. For example, the police may swab a suspect’s DNA from a discarded cigarette. Oded Oren outlines an argument for suppressing the DNA information extracted from the analysis of surreptitiously obtained DNA rather than suppression of the DNA itself or the physical object from which it was obtained.

What are some common mistakes made by crime scene investigators during the recovery of human skeletal remains?

Letter from NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer and NACDL affiliates' leadership to FBI Director James Comey regarding the FBI's policy on recording custodial interrogations, especially for those suspected of felony offenses.

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