Agenda Day Two

An Introduction to F.I.G.G.- Crystal Oechsle (.5 cr)

Abstract:                                                                                                                                                                                                   It goes by several names and it’s all the rage – FIGG: Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy. You may know that it’s how the ‘Golden State Killer’ was identified, but what is it? How is FIGG different from traditional forensic DNA profiling? You may be wondering if it is the right technique for a case of your own, but if so, what are the courts saying about it? This session explore the answers to these questions and more.

Sptting the Issues with Expert Testimony - Tiffany Roy (1 cr.)

Abstract:
The last decade has brought about significant changes in forensic analysis that are being challenged in courts across the country. For instance, DNA technologies have become more sensitive, the threat of contamination has increased, and mixture interpretation has become more complex. To deal with this change, labs have implemented new interpretation and statistical software and maybe even altered the methods they use to calculate statistics, which has led to great changes in the language of expert opinions. However, experts are humans, after all. Humans who were not there when the crime was committed, and sometimes, they make mistakes during testimony. Here, the presenter will discuss some of the problems they see when reviewing work from laboratories around the country and will offer methods to spot issues with expert testimony. This presentation is designed to arm attorneys with the skills they need to spot problem results and testimony so that they might retain the expertise necessary to preserve these issues and keep bad science out of court.

Clear as Mud? Deciphering Expert Testimony - Crystal Oechsle (1 cr)

Abstract:
Have you ever spoken to a forensic scientist and been completely lost, not understanding what they were telling you or why, or why they couldn’t just answer the question in plain English? Scientific experts have reasons for being precise or explaining concepts in a particular way, and rightly or wrongly, probably assume attorneys know and understand those reasons. In this talk we’ll delve into what you can do to prepare for expert testimony, questions you can ask your expert, and some of the reasoning behind why experts speak the way they do. This presentation will also seek to explain some of the most common misconceptions faced by forensic experts.

Demonstration of Expert Witness Testimony- Angela Canepa

Abstract:                                                                                                                                                                                         Attorney Canepa has been a career prosecutor with tenure in multiple offices and roles across the state of Ohio. Throughout her career she has had direct trial experience with cases that involve use of forensic evidence and expert witness testimony across various disciplines, including trying several death penalty cases. At the beginning of the workshop, participants will be provided with a mock scenario and supporting casefile documentation that contains typical data, results, and reports of several forensic examinations, including DNA, fingerprints/trace evidence, drug chemistry, and toxicology. In this presentation, Attorney Canepa will briefly discuss strategies and approaches for questioning an expert witness. Then, Attorney Canepa will engage at least one of the forensic experts/instructors from the Center for the Future of Forensic Science in a demonstration of direct examination of an expert witness, using the provided mock casefile as the subject matter