The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is one of the major players in the forensic science landscape. In this informal session, John Paul Jones, the Forensic Science Standards Program Manager, and Melissa Taylor, Senior Forensic Science Research Manager, both from NIST’s Special Programs Office, will be on hand to offer their inside insight and expertise.  For a practical perspective, they will be joined by two attorneys, Clinton Hughes and Dana Delger, who have contributed to NIST forensic efforts in various capacities.

An ongoing interactive webinar series regularly hosted by NACDL. Wednesdays at 2 pm ET / 11am PT. On this page, you can register for the series, volunteer as faculty, submit feedback, and watch past videos!

Forensic DNA Interpretation and Human Factors: Improving the Practice Through a Systems Approach – This important report, the third in a series that includes previous reports in latent print examination and handwriting analysis, focuses on human factors in DNA analysis.

Even in jurisdictions where laboratories have not yet adopted standards on the OSAC Registry, understanding forensic standards and how to use them is critical for any attorney managing a case with forensic science evidence.

Join us for an in-depth Supreme Court term review designed specifically for criminal defense attorneys. We examine significant decisions from the 2023 term, their implications, emerging trends in Supreme Court jurisprudence, and preview cases on the docket for the 2024 term.

This presentation describes the scope of bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA), a forensic discipline which mainly aims at evaluating the physical events responsible for blood traces. The large error rates of about 10% are explained by the nature and methods of the discipline. By its nature, BPA associates activities to blood traces, a task inherently more complex than comparing two traces of the same nature, like DNA or fingermarks.

See Dr. Attinger's answers to clarification questions below the list of hyperlinked documents.

This presentation focuses on technology’s effect on the way Jurors receive and process information today. The presentation covers topics such as: demographics of today’s jury pool; knowing your jury; verbal persuasion techniques; effective creation of visual aids like PowerPoint and computer animations; AI’s effect on the law, and the law on admissibility when using visual aids.

The discussion covers how judges get nominated, including commissions, timelines, and the ABA process, among other things. Panelists also address specifically the considerations that NACDL attorneys should address to maximize odds of getting on the bench.

Explore the recent amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines that took effect on November 1, 2023, in particular those that permit for a reduction in sentence. They will offer a comprehensive overview of the these amendments, the government’s latest position on them, and practice tips on making the most of them for your clients.

Misunderstood & Underused: The Rules of Evidence You're Missing Pt II [Engage & Exchange Discussion] (featuring Cheryl D. Stein)

Misunderstood & Underused: The Rules of Evidence You're Missing Pt I [Engage & Exchange Discussion]

The seminar discusses a review of evaluation, designation, treatment and BOP procedures for prisoner placement and follow up. Mr. Jack Donson discusses the BOP requirements and regulations and Dr. Diane Sommer provides in-depth information referencing her thirty-five years of experience as a doctor, twenty of which were in the BOP as well as her time in the military.

The decades-long war on drugs distorted evidence law in drugs and guns cases leaving it littered with landmines for defense lawyers.  This presentation will provide an approach for tackling the pervasive challenges defense lawyers face in drugs and guns cases such as co-conspirator statements, prior bad acts, and questionable government expert evidence.

Federal prosecutors regularly ask courts to impose sentences within the Guidelines ranges to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities under 18 USC §3553(a)(6), but these arguments often ignore data about what sentences are actually being imposed, especially in white-collar cases.  The Sentencing Commission has made it easier to see this data through the Judiciary Sentencing Information (JSIN) platform, and regular use of JSIN data is already being tested in 1/3 of federal district courts around the country. 

The presentation includes a brief PowerPoint presentation on topics from the Female Offender Manual. A panel discussion follows to address questions on the policy, medical treatment, special needs and challenges regarding the administration of female facilities.