COVID-19 Update: This event is cancelled.

"Making Sense of Science XIII"
LOCATION: Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
DATES: April 3-4, 2020

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.

Coalition letter to the House Judiciary Committee regarding the need for reforms to the drafted USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 relating to mass and unwarranted surveillance.

Latent Fingerprint Evidence: Fabrication, Not Error Pat A. Wertheim

Evidence is the crux of every criminal case, making forensic science one of the most (if not the most) critical elements of an investigation and defense. This page contains materials and information relating to a vareity of forensic science subtopics. As forensics continue to evolve, so will this collection. 

Presented by Dr. Jasmine Drake, Graduate Program Director and Assistant Professor, Administration of Justice Department, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University

Defending Drug Overdose Homicides in Pennsylvania
November 6, 2019 | Harrisburg, PA

Presented by Carrie Wood, Assistant Public Defender, Appellate Division, Hamilton County Public Defender (OH); and Nathan Adams, Systems Engineer, Forensic Bioinformatics (OH)

Trial Advocacy: Forensic Sciences Training
Philadelphia, PA | 2018 | Grant-Funded Public Defense Training

Presented by Alice Fontier, Managing Director, Criminal Defense Practice, Bronx Defenders

Trial Advocacy: Forensic Sciences Training
Philadelphia, PA | 2018 | Grant-Funded Public Defense Training

HOW IS A CELL PHONE’S LOCATION IDENTIFIED? A cell phone’s location can be detected through cell site location information (CSLI) or global positioning system (GPS) data. CSLI refers to the information collected as a cell phone identifies its location to nearby cell towers. CSLI from nearby cell towers can indicate a cell phone’s approximate location. With information from multiple cell towers, a technique called “triangulation” is used to locate a cell phone with greater precision. Cell phone location information can be “historical” or “prospective.”

Cell Site Simulator Primer.

ALPR Primer.

The National Forensic College is an advanced, week-long forensic science CLE designed for experienced trial and post-conviction defense litigators. It features the foremost national experts in a wide range of forensic disciplines and presents a truly one-of-a kind opportunity. The Forensic College prepares attorneys to litigate complex forensic science issues strategically and with the support of the nation's leading law firms and experts.

The National Forensic College is an advanced, week-long forensic science CLE designed for experienced trial and post-conviction defense litigators. This application is for private attorneys.

In recent years, the government has increasingly turned to hacking as an investigative technique. Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) has begun deploying malware: software designed to infiltrate and control, disable, or surveil a computer’s use and activity.

With an increasing number of police departments across the country turning to unregulated, untested, and flawed facial recognition technology to identify suspects, it is vital defenders understand the technology, its limitations, and how to challenge its use in their cases.