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NACDL’s 19th Annual Forensics Seminar, “Making Sense of Science: Forensic Science, Technology & the Law” will be held at the Sahara Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, April 23-25, 2026.
BIG NAMES. BIG SCIENCE. NEW TECHNOLOGY. A BIG-TIME CLE EXPERIENCE!
Don’t miss this great opportunity for a no-nonsense, national networking CLE featuring the leading faculty in their respective fields.
WATCH A PREVIEW of last year's event to see what you can expect in 2026. https://youtu.be/hB_1G21Qllo
Why You Should Attend This Cutting-Edge Legal Seminar on Forensic Science & Technology
In an era where science and technology increasingly shape the courtroom, criminal law practitioners must stay ahead of the curve. This two-day seminar is an unmissable opportunity for criminal defense attorneys, forensic experts, and investigators to gain modern scientific and technical insight and practical trial skills to take on the complex intersection of science, technology, and trial advocacy.
What Makes This Seminar Stand Out?
- Dual Track Format: Forensic Science & AI/Technology - Whether you're dissecting DNA evidence or confronting AI-generated discovery, the dual-track structure ensures you receive in-depth, expert-led insights tailored to your interests and practice needs.
- Learn From Nationally Recognized Experts - The seminar features powerhouse presenters from across the country, including seasoned trial attorneys, forensic scientists, and academics—bringing real-world experience from high-profile cases like the Karen Read trial to your learning experience.
- Practical Strategies You Can Apply in the Courtroom - From cross-examining digital forensics experts to challenging the validity of toxicology reports or facial recognition technology, every session is designed to deliver tangible, courtroom-tested strategies.
- National Networking Opportunities - A complimentary welcome reception, and dozens of vendors and experts will offer a rich networking atmosphere with fellow professionals, faculty, and exhibitors in
Why You Should Attend
• Stay ahead of the latest forensic, AI, and technology developments
• Sharpen your courtroom skills with tactical guidance
• Build confidence in handling and dealing with complex scientific evidence
• Network with national leaders and peers in criminal defense
Whether you’re new to defending forensic-heavy cases or a veteran litigator seeking to refine your edge, this seminar equips you with the scientific knowledge, technological insight, and advocacy tools to succeed in today’s courtroom.
Secure your spot and elevate your trial practice—this is where science and technology meets strategy!
Agenda
The program agenda and faculty are subject to change.
| Thursday, April 23, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 3:30 pm | Early Registration & Exhibit Hall Open |
| Friday, April 24, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Registration, Exhibits & Continental Breakfast | |
| 8:00 am | Welcoming Remarks and Morning Announcements – NACDL President Andrew Birrell (Minneapolis, MN) & Program Co-Chairs Jonathan Brayman (Chicago, IL), Angelica Cogliano (Austin, TX), Jacqueline Goodman (Fullerton, CA), and Tamar Lerer (Newark, NJ) | |
| 8:15 am | Opening Plenary: A-Z of Trying a Forensic Heavy Case - Conveying Your Theory & Theme – Joseph Cavise (Chicago, IL) & Emily Prokesch (Atlanta, GA) | |
| FORENSIC SCIENCE TRACK | AI & TECHNOLOGY TRACK | |
| 9:15 am | Lessons from the Karen Read Trial – Making Forensics Understandable for a Jury – Alan Jackson (Los Angeles, CA) | Leveraging Technology in Criminal Defense: Complex Discovery and Beyond – John Ellis (San Diego, CA) |
| 10:15 am | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break | |
| 10:35 am | Blood and Ethanol: Demystifying Gas Chromatography – Patrick Barone (Birmingham, MI) |
The Ethics of AI: Navigating AI-Generated Evidence in the Courtroom – Brian Chase (Tucson, AZ) |
| 11:35 am | From Crime Scene Investigation to "Not Guilty!" – Jay Clark (Cincinnati, OH) and William 'Bill' Gallagher (Cincinnati, OH) | AI on the Witness Stand: Trust, Truth, and Hallucinations in Criminal Defense – Patrick Barone (Birmingham, MI) |
| 12:35 pm | Lunch break on your own | |
| 2:05 pm | DNA: Rapid Testing, Serology, and New Technologies – Laura Schile (Sun City, AZ) | Next-Gen Geolocation – Tom Beiser (Somerset, NJ) |
| 3:05 pm | From Chemistry to Courtroom: The Role of Toxicology in Alcohol and Drug Cases – Amanda M. Kogelschatz, M.S., D-ABFT-FT (New York, NY) | Unmasking Facial Recognition Technology – Michael King (Melbourne, FL) |
| 4:05 pm | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break | |
| 4:25 pm | Pathology– Dr. William Sago, MD (Reno, NV) | Racialized Police Surveillance – Mitha Nandagopalan (New York, NY) |
| 5:25 pm | How Biomechanics and Firearm Experts Can Collaborate on Forensic Investigations – Christopher Eckersley, Ph.D., P.E. (Charlotte, NC) & Tony Dill, COL (Ret.) (Peachtree Corners, GA) | Man vs. Machine: Taking on Digital Forensics Experts in the AI Era – Michael Waddington (Weston, FL) |
| 6:25 pm | Adjourn for the Day | |
| 7:00 pm | Welcoming Reception Location: TBA |
|
| Saturday, April 25, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:15 am | Registration, Exhibits & Continental Breakfast |
| 8:15 am | Morning Announcements – Program Co-Chairs |
| 8:25 am | Shooting Reconstruction: Aiming for Justice – Amy Santoro (Kansas City, MO) |
| 9:25 am | Childhood Memory and Psychology in Sexual Assault Cases – Dr. Trent Terrell (Belton, TX) |
| 10:25 am | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break |
| 10:45 am | Cross Examination of the Forensic Interviewer in a Child Sex Case – Paul Cramm (Overland Park, Kansas) |
| 11:45 am | Applied Challenges to the Reliability of Ballistics "Matches" – Elayna Thompson (Newark, NJ) |
| 12:45 pm | Lunch break on your own |
| 2:15 pm | Cognitive Bias in Forensic Science and How it Effects the Reliability of Ballistics Testimony – Jeff Kukucka (Baltimore, MD) |
| 3:15 pm | K-9 Searches – Don Flanary (San Antonio, TX) & Jerry Potter (Two Rivers, WI) |
| 4:15 pm | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break |
| 4:30 pm | Forensic Anthropology –Kimberlee Moran (Camden, NJ) |
| 5:30 pm | Seminar Adjourns until 2027! |
Faculty
- Patrick T. Barone (Birmingham, MI) *NACDL MEMBER
- Tom Beiser (Somerset, NJ) *NACDL MEMBER
- Joseph Cavise (Chicago, IL) *NACDL MEMBER
- Brian Chase (Tucson, AZ) *NACDL MEMBER
- Jay Clark (Cincinnati, OH) *NACDL MEMBER
- Paul Cramm (Overland Park, Kansas) *NACDL MEMBER
- Tony Dill, COL (Ret.) (Peachtree Corners, GA)
- Christopher Eckersley, Ph.D., P.E. (Charlotte, NC)
- John Ellis (San Diego, CA) *NACDL MEMBER
- Don Flanary (San Antonio, TX)
- William 'Bill' Gallagher (Cincinnati, OH) *NACDL MEMBER
- Alan Jackson (Los Angeles, CA)
- Jeff Kukucka (Baltimore, MD)
- Michael King (Melbourne, FL)
- Amanda M. Kogelschatz, M.S., D-ABFT-FT (New York, NY)
- Kimberlee Moran (Camden, NJ)
- Mitha Nandagopalan (New York, NY)
- Jerry Potter (Two Rivers, WI)
- Emily Prokesch (Atlanta, GA)
- Dr. William Sago, MD (Reno, NV)
- Amy Santoro (Kansas City, MO)
- Laura Schile (Sun City, AZ)
- Dr. Trent Terrell (Belton, TX)
- Elayna Thompson (Newark, NJ)
- Michael Waddington (Weston, FL) *NACDL MEMBER
CLE Information
NACDL is an accredited provider of CLE in all states requiring mandatory CLE Training. NACDL will apply for at least 15.00 credit hours in every state requiring pre-approval. Specialty credits will be applied for (where applicable). Approved hours for each state will be identified at the seminar. Some states, IL, GA, NE, NM, PA, SC, TN and UT require additional fees by the attendee in order to receive credit.
Hotel
Sahara Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
All reservations within NACDL room block must be booked using the online reservations link below. Reservations over the phone are not available.
Online Reservations: https://book.passkey.com/e/51050099
Group rate: $99 + tax Thursday / $189 + tax Friday / $189 + tax Saturday (expires April 1, 2026).
Rooms/discounted group rates are not guaranteed once the block has been filled.
Sponsorship and Exhibits
Disclaimer: NACDL does not necessarily endorse or guarantee the quality, applicability, or discounts of the products and/or services of its exhibitors. Users of these products and/or services do so at their sole discretion and NACDL assumes no responsibility for them.
For information on exhibiting or sponsorships, please contact NACDL's Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Petty at jpetty@nacdl.org or call (202) 465-7637.
NACDL would like to thank the following sponsors, exhibitors, and affinity partners for their support and contributions:
PLATINUM Sponsor:
still available...
GOLD Sponsor:
still available...
SILVER Sponsors:
BRONZE Sponsor:
still available...
Welcoming Reception:
still available...
Wi-Fi Sponsor:
still available...
Seminar Materials Sponsor:
still available...
Lanyards Sponsor:
still available...
Tote Bag Sponsor:
Exhibitors:
Aperture LLC
Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi)
Metadata Forensics, LLC
Second Look Training and Forensic Consulting LLC
Pricing
Register Online Register by PDF
Members of NACDL enjoy exclusive registration rates for our seminars along with all the benefits from joining.
| Registration Fees | |
|---|---|
| NACDL MEMBERS: Regular, Life, President's Club and Sustaining Members | $459 |
| NACDL MEMBERS: Public Defender, Associate, Investigator, Professor, New Lawyer, International and Military | $339 |
| Non-Members: Private Practitioners (includes 1-year membership) | $788 |
| Non-Member Public Defenders | $379 |
| Regional Affiliate Lawyer Discount: All Nevada and California Lawyers (Residents Only) | $369 |
| Groups of 4 or more PDs (must register at the same time; 1 payment; no changes or cancellations allowed). To register a group, please visit: http://www.nacdl.org/PDGroups | $309 |
| Non-Attendee Materials / Recordings | |
|---|---|
| Audio Recording of Seminar (pre-sale) | $225 |
| Video Recording of Seminar (pre-sale) | $299 |
CANCELLATIONS: There is a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via e-mail to cancel@nacdl.org by 5:30 pm E.T. Friday, April 17, 2026, to receive a refund, less the cancellation fee. No refunds can be issued after the cancellation deadline.
Code of Conduct
NACDL endeavors to foster a working, learning, and social environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and insult. To that end, NACDL has adopted a Code of Conduct for Affiliated Persons that applies to all attendees and participants of any kind at all NACDL sponsored events.
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