Celeste Addyman has been an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office in Chicago for almost 13 years. She consults and litigates on cases involving DNA, police surveillance, and pattern matching evidence, including being part of the team who made a historic challenge to the admissibility of firearm examination evidence in Cook County, Illinois. Prior to her forensic work, she handled complex felony cases in the Felony Trial Division, including cases where DNA, fingerprints, and facial recognition technology were used to prosecute her clients.

Celeste is a graduate of DePaul University (B.A. psychology) and Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D.). She is a member of the Illinois bar. 

Joseph Cavise joined the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender after graduating from the DePaul University College of Law. He initially worked in the Civil Division/Child Protection Division before transitioning to the Forensic Science Division in early 2015. 

He has developed expertise in the litigation of DNA and pattern-matching evidence and is currently expanding into the realm of digital forensics, including cell-site simulators, ShotSpotter, and facial recognition software. He spends most of his time assisting the PD’s many trial lawyers with pre-trial litigation of forensic discovery and admissibility and conducts examinations of forensic experts at hearings and trials. Outside of litigation, he especially enjoys presenting on forensic evidence to defense lawyers around the country and is grateful for the continuing opportunities to do so. 

Dr. Kristen McCowan joined the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences after completing her doctorate in Law and Psychology, where she leads research initiatives to shed light on faulty forensic sciences. Her research has focused on jurors' perceptions of forensic science and expert testimony, and overall evidence admissibility. She shares the core mission of the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences in strengthening forensic sciences used in court and helping prevent misjustices. Kristen values using data-driven research methods to help educate laypersons and experts in the field on misconceptions surrounding forensic sciences that have led to wrongful convictions.