Because equal justice requires sound science
The Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences (CIFS) and State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® have gathered renowned forensics experts and criminal practitioners to give you an unbiased look at scientific methods and practices used in criminal cases. They’ll make certain you understand the reliability of the scientific evidence used in your next case. Together, we can all work to improve the quality of the forensic science in our criminal justice system. Catch the content from Day 2 of the Institute with these encore webcasts.
Ethics Panel: Effective Representation in Cases Involving Forensic Science
What does it mean to provide the “effective assistance of counsel” guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment? Understand the lawyer’s role in cases involving complex forensic evidence, including investigation, strategies for litigation, and effective advocacy throughout the process.
Jonas B. Bednarek, Marcus J. Berghahn
The Big Data Revolution: Rethinking the Meaning of Surveillance
Discover the emergent relationship between “artificial intelligence” (AI) and the criminal justice system. Understand what big data analytics truly are and how these techniques are being used in criminal cases (sometimes without governmental disclosure). You’ll discuss technology from racial recognition to jail call recordings, license plate readers to probabilistic genotyping, and more. Come away with a better understanding of your options when AI makes an appearance during discovery.
Elizabeth Daniel Vasquez
Forensic Science and Interrogations: The Dangers of Misclassification and False Confessions
Hear from a Certified Forensic Interviewer about how faulty forensic evidence can contribute to confirmation bias in police interrogations. Discuss false confessions and the ways misclassification of an innocent person can change an interviewer’s strategy and conduct. Examine tactics such as the false evidence ploy and minimization so you can identify these risk factors when reviewing a confession. You’ll also hear about trends in legislation and the evolution of interrogation standards.
David Thompson
The Anatomy of Science-Dependent Prosecutions
In child abuse cases without witnesses, typically the opinion of an expert is used to prove all elements of the crime. Medical witnesses are critical to the prosecution in cases involving Shaken Baby Syndrome, Medical Child Abuse (previously Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy), unwitnessed physical abuse, and other child abuse cases. But where is the line between medical expertise and inadmissible speculation? Understand what science tells us about the foundational validity of the claims common to these cases and be ready to address these issues in court.
Keith Findley, Katherine H. Judson
Concentric Circles of Harm: Who is Hurt When the System Fails
For every wrongful conviction, there are dozens of people who are harmed. Starting with the original victims and families, to the wrongfully convicted and their families, the criminal justice system can create a wide swath of hurt. This session reveals the ways the system's failure not only harms victims and innocent people, but creates additional pain and wreckage for us all.
Jarrett Adams, Keith Findley, Jennifer Thompson