Stay tuned for IPMN’s upcoming CLE (date pending) featuring Greg Hampikian, whose work in the field of forensic DNA analysis played a pivotal role in overturning the murder conviction of Amanda Knox. Hampikian examined the case and found that there was no conclusive DNA evidence connecting Knox to the crime.
FORENSICS 411 brings you the latest information on digital forensics, ballistics and firearm identification, arson investigation, working with private investigators, and the pathology of firearms.
Date: Friday, May 6, 2101
Credits: 6 CLE credits
Location:
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
1430 Maryland Ave East, St. Paul, MN 55106
Time: Check-in 8:15 - 8:45 am (Program runs from 8:45
am - 4:00 pm)
Cost (lunch included): Standard rate $250, Public Interest rate $125, Students $50
For more information, email the Innocence
Project of Minnesota, or call 651.523.3152.
Download a schedule.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore new avenues for more effective direct and cross examination
- Find out what the expert witnesses wish they had been asked - let
them tell you what the most effective questions are
- Understand how to utilize the science and talk to experts about your
cases
- Meet the scientists who analyze this stuff everyday
- Learn what information juries find the most difficult to understand
and discover ways to make it more comprehensible
- Examine practical ways to put what you've learned about forensic science to use
Sponsors: Hamline University School of Law and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Digital Forensics: How Producing Text Messages and Facebook Can Assist with an Aggressive Criminal Defense
New technology relentlessly thrusts itself into the lives of our clients and many of them adopt it with gusto. Do you find yourself ignoring potentially revealing sources of evidence due to the challenges of keeping up with it? This session will show the value of digital forensic approaches for collecting hard-to-find, but relevant evidence that can make the difference for your clients. Come and learn what criminal defense attorneys need to know about mobile phones and social media in 2011.
Presented by: John J. Carney, Esq., Carney Forensics
The Pathology of Firearm Injuries
Explore the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of gunshot entry and exit wounds from Hennepin County’s best. Attending this presentation will enable you to confidently describe the wound characteristics and range of fire for all types of firearm injuries: handguns, rifles, and shotguns. In addition, you’ll be able to accurately portray atypical, graze, and shored exit wounds to the judge and jury. If you want to better articulate and formulate questions about firearm deaths that pathologists can be expected to answer then this is the perfect course for you.
Presented by: Andrew Baker, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner, Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigation: "If it’s in the discovery. It must be true." "Really?"
One of the best services an attorney can provide his client is to have verified that the evidence against him is accurate, nothing has been excluded from the original investigation, and that there will be no surprises in the courtroom. An investigator reviews discovery materials from the standpoint of not only attempting to verify the accuracy of what was done, but also determine what is missing from the original investigation.
Subject and witness interviews, examining evidence, visiting and re-documenting the scene, etc. are just a few of the avenues that often reveal evidence the original investigation failed to bring to light. Things that seemed insignificant to the original investigating authorities can result in a potential multitude of new evidence and/or witnesses that had been omitted or never even explored. Defense investigators, in essence, are not only reinvestigating the case, but investigating the original investigation of the case as well.
Presented by: Julie A. Davison, Private Investigator, Dahl & Associates
Ballistics, Bullistics or Firearms Identification?
When is a bullet a cartridge and a cartridge a bullet? Is it a clip or a magazine? What really happens when the evidence is submitted to the Laboratory and what can they do with it in the Lab? An overview of firearm and toolmark examinations and a presentation of an unusual case…or two…or three.
Put your newly found skills to the test with a separate breakout session with firearm examiners and police rangemasters. If you have an itchy trigger finger and an interest in police use of force options this event is for you. Each participant will be able to test-fire a wide array of firearms of different calibers, including the world’s finest (?) assault rifle. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime “trigger fingers-on” event! (additional cost for the hands-on breakout session)
Presented by: Kurt W. Moline, Forensic Scientist, Firearm and Toolmark Examiner, Crime Scene Team Leader, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Distinguishing Fact from Fantasy in Arson Cases
Fascinated by fire? Fixated by flames? Stop, drop, and enroll into this great CLE course
which will broaden your understanding of the hottest crime on the books. Participants
will be exposed to the common myths of arson investigation, the sources of error in fire
determination, and the pitfalls of the confirmation bias. You will learn the standard of care for sound fire analyst investigation. Actual arson case studies will be used. Pyromaniacs may apply!
Presented by: Christine Funk, MN State Public Defender Trial Team
