Blood, Semen and Bodily Fluids: Serology, Physical Evidence and DNA Experts
Program Summary:
Jurors often perceive forensic evidence as irrefutable. It’s up to defense counsel to show them it’s not. This practical program arms lawyers with the knowledge to challenge physical evidence involving blood, semen and bodily fluids effectively, ensuring jurors understand its limitations. You’ll discover how to challenge faulty evidence, leverage Daubert standards, uncover bias and misconduct (including withheld discovery and biased lab practices), expose improper lab collection methods and standards, educate juror’s views that DNA evidence is infallible, and more! By understanding these critical forensic issues, lawyers can effectively educate juries and foster more balanced deliberations.
This program also explains the basics of DNA testing and how improper handling protocols can lead to contamination or misrepresentation, including misinterpreting modern sensitivity thresholds. Learn directly from experienced practitioners and forensic experts who can simplify complex topics like DNA mixtures, bias in forensic analysis, and statistical challenges. You’ll also explore recent shifts in DNA reporting practices, emphasizing the need for full discovery to uncover bias and errors.
Other key topics include:
- Hair Comparisons and Subjective Forensics: Learn how hair comparison analysis has been largely debunked with advances in DNA technology. Show how subjective techniques like fingerprint and ballistics analysis, which remain prevalent despite lacking standardized benchmarks, can lead to potential inaccuracies in court.
- The Evolution of DNA Technology: Learn about the shift from early DNA methods to modern STR and Y-STR technologies, resulting in increased sensitivity and complexity. Discover how analysts' biases and practices, such as comparing evidence to known samples too early, can lead to flawed conclusions.
- Issues in Crime Labs: Highlight how unethical practices in crime labs, including destroyed discovery materials, lack of transparency, and outright bias favoring prosecution, undermine the integrity of criminal cases.
- Challenging DNA Evidence in Court: Explore strategies for defense attorneys to challenge DNA evidence, such as questioning contamination risks, the statistical validity of results, and the lack of transparency in analysis protocols.
- Privacy Concerns with DNA: Learn about the significant focus placed on the use of "out-of-body DNA" collected from public spaces and its implications for privacy and Fourth Amendment protections.
- Key Tools for Defense: Discover best-practices for obtaining complete discovery, engaging experts to scrutinize forensic practices, and leveraging the Daubert standards to exclude unreliable evidence.
- Real-World Examples and Resources: With case studies of wrongful convictions and a detailed breakdown of key resources, including forensic science texts and legal precedents, this program bridges theory and practice to maximize impact in the courtroom.
- Practical Skills: This program also equips lawyers with actionable strategies to cross-examine forensic experts, interpret complex lab reports, and demand complete discovery.
- Case Preparation Mastery: Gain tools to prepare comprehensive defenses, including how to collaborate with forensic consultants and identify key weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence.
- Confidence in Court: Armed with this knowledge, learn to confidently argue cases involving cutting-edge forensic evidence, ensuring fair outcomes for their clients.
Investing in this CLE program is an investment in your career as a criminal practitioner. This program empowers you to be the strongest advocate for your clients, ensuring fair trials and advancing the cause of justice.
CLE Credit: Up to 11 hours of self-study CLE credit, where authorized. Please confirm with your state's CLE commission to ensure this program is available for self-study CLE certification.
Presentations Included:
1. Handcuff the Blood Technician with Good Science and Juror Values | Duarte, Francisco A. "Paco"
2. Pattern Cross-Examination of Experts when DNA or Biological Evidence are in Your Case | Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
3. Pulling Back the Curtain on Laboratory Issues & Blood Collection | Joseph P. St. Louis
4. Acceptable Medical Practices When Drawing Blood | Ron Lopez
5. Autopsy of a Crime Lab: The Reliability of Forensic Evidence | Brandon Garrett
6. Crime Labs v. Courtrooms: What you Need to Know | Laura Schile
7. How to Try a DNA Case | Edward Ungvarsky
8. Challenging DNA Evidence | Elizabeth Vasquez
9. Genetic Privacy: Unregulated Surreptitious DNA | Albert Scherr
10. Detecting and Fighting DNA Erros in Sex Cases | Greg Hampikian
11. Deconstructing a DNA Case | Laura Schile
Prices
- List Price $179.00
- Member Price $159.00