Applying Melendez: Briscoe and Beyond
By Ronald K. Bullis, Ph.D., J.D.
A look at the effects of Briscoe v. Virginia and subsequent case law on the enforcement and application of Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts.
Confronting Science: Melendez-Diaz and the Confrontation Clause
By Craig C. King, J.D.
In an interesting turn of its docket this year, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case with an almost identical issue as the controversial decision from last term’s Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts. However, the Court’s one-sentence opinion sent it back down to the Virginia Supreme Court, instructing its members to make their ruling consistent with last year’s. Melendez-Diaz provides clarity on the use of live testimony over the introduction of testimonial documents.
Expert Witness: Effective Courtroom Testimony
By Stevee Ashlock
It is important to look, sound, and act the part to be a convincing and effective Expert Witness.
From The Editor: Forensics In The News
By Rebecca Waters
The Melendez-Diaz case ruling that lab analysts had to be available to testify if their analysis was submitted as evidence—has resurfaced as the U.S. Supreme Court consented to hear Briscoe v. Virginia.
Expert Trigger Pull Uncertainty
By Jeff Salyards, Dana Sevigny
ISO 17025 requires laboratories to document how uncertainty was calculated. Find out ways to become more comfortable with your uncertainty calculations.
The Cost of Serving Justice
By Chris Asplen
In June, the United States Supreme Court issued one of its most significant opinions affecting the use of forensic science in the courtroom: Melendez-Diaz v.Massachusetts.
Alcohol In the 21st Century: New Standards, New Technology
By Henry J. Swofford
New technology can reduce calculation times when determining the degree of uncertainty in blood alcohol concentration estimations.
The Controversy Concerning Gunshot Residues Examinations
By Dennis L. McGuire, M.S.
Lawyers, judges, and juries can be seriously misled by crime laboratory findings of the presence of gunshot residues (GSR).
Drawing Without A Net?
By Charles Jackson
In the field of composite image making there are generally three schools of thought on the use of reference images. There are those who do, those who sometimes do, and those who don’t use them at all.
Qualifying the Expert Witness: A Practical Voir Dire
By Gil I. Sapir, JD, MSC
Lawyers rarely do more than minimally review the qualifications of the expert and verify the facts on which the expert conclusions are based. The voir dire examination is typically based upon perfunctory questioning about institutional affiliation and publications.
Forensic Profile: Private Forensic Consulting
By Laura Pettler, M.S.
While many forensic specialists find satisfaction and security in working for a government agency, one recent graduate is determined to make a name for herself in her own forensics company.
The Work of an Innocence Project
By Susan M. Thurston Myster, Ph.D., Michael F. Cromett, J.D.
This article attempts to open—or hopefully expand—a dialogue between innocence projects and the forensic science community; an important, though often neglected, participant in the criminal justice system.
Microbial Forensics
By Douglas Page
Microbial forensics combines principles of public health epidemiology and law enforcement to identify patterns in a disease outbreak, determine which pathogen may be involved, and trace the organism to its source.
