Archive for May, 2012
The Certainty of Expert Testimony
by Moderator on May.24, 2012, under Topics for discussion
Trial judges serve as “gate keepers” and determine whether expert testimony is admissible. They do so by applying rules set up in opinions handed down from prior cases, such as Daubert. One criteria is error rate, a test of the reliability of the techniques proffered to the trier of fact. (continue reading…)
Helping the Legal Community Understand Forensic Science
by Moderator on May.10, 2012, under Topics for discussion
The defense and prosecution bar is becoming more knowledgeable about forensic science. For example, this is the third consecutive year that the American Bar Association is holding a day-long program on June 1, 2012, entitled: Prescription for Criminal Justice Forensics at the Fordham University School of Law in New York City. The program may be viewed at the following website: http://tiny.cc/rovybw.
This year’s program will open with a focus on the continued impact of the NAS report on forensic science and use of Forensic Advisory Boards, by examining: pattern evidence, including fingerprints and bitemarks; eyewitness testimony; new law enforcement efforts to develop local DNA databases; and cyber crime.
Question: Can better informed prosecutors and defense attorneys help to improve the reliability of forensic science?
