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Author: Yujiemi Chisholm
Forensics TTA

DNA 101 & Evaluating Post-Conviction DNA Cases

This webinar was tailored for professionals in wrongful conviction attorney roles and conviction integrity units. It provided a peer-to-peer overview of forensic DNA analysis, encompassing topics such as DNA biology, the forensic DNA process, considerations for case reviews, and the decision on whether to conduct new DNA testing.
May 2024

ME/C Performance Metrics

Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner (ME/C) System Program Fellowship/Purpose Area 1: 64 fellowships funded 49 participants completed fellowship training 11,798 deaths investigated by fellows 12,893 autopsies performed by fellows Accreditation/Purpose Area 2: 148 individuals sought certification 31 individuals achieved certification 15 organizations achieved accreditation
May 2024

COLD Performance Metrics

Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program Since 2019, COLD Program funds were used to: Upload multiple suspect profiles to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS/AFIS) Identify 94 suspects who were initially unknown Prosecute 20 cases that have resulted in convictions Identify 39 suspects via Forensic Genetic Genealogy
May 2024

Postconviction Performance Metrics

Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence (Postconviction) Program More than 55,000 new cases reviewed and more than 125,000 continuing cases reviewed with current and previous grant funding More than 740,000 hours of case review performed, representing an estimate of more than 350 work years More than 2,200 cases where DNA analysis
May 2024

Coverdell Performance Metrics

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants (Coverdell) Program From FY2011-FY2021 Coverdell Program funds were used to: Analyze more than 1.8 million backlogged cases resulting in more than 350 agencies decreasing their backlogged cases Support more than 19,000 forensic personnel, more than 2,000 medical examiners/coroners, and more than 40 pathologists (FY2021 only)
May 2024

MUHR Performance Metrics

Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program Since its inception in 2022, MUHR Program funds were used to: Make 24 identifications via Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) associations Make 13 identifications via direct DNA comparisons Make 21 identifications via other methodologies such as fingerprints Repatriate 39 cases to relatives or
May 2024

CEBR Performance Metrics

DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program More than 1.6 million cases completed More than 3.9 million database samples completed More than 706,000 forensic (crime scene) profiles uploaded to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) More than 3.7 million databasing profiles uploaded to CODIS More than 341,000 CODIS hits
May 2024
FindLaw

State of Minnesota v. Michael Carbo (2024) Opinion – Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court ruling held that the defendant in this 1986 homicide prosecution has no reasonable expectation of privacy in semen collected at the crime scene or items discarded in a communal trash bin. However, there are concurring and dissenting opinions to the majority ruling. An additional issue addressed in this ruling pertained to the trial court improperly excluding alternative perpetrator evidence whereby the conviction was reversed and remanded for that reason.
May 2024
FindLaw

State of Minnesota v. Jerry Westrom (2024) Opinion – Supreme Court of Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court ruling held that the defendant in this 1993 homicide prosecution has no reasonable expectation of privacy in a discarded napkin which was retrieved by police, tested for DNA, and led to the generation of a DNA profile that was found to match with a DNA profile recovered from the crime scene.
May 2024
Legal Document Repository

State of Idaho v. David Dalrymple – Case Documents

These case documents pertain to the 1982 Idaho homicide and sexual offense case, State of Idaho v. David Dalrymple, and collectively outline the parties’ competing positions regarding the admissibility of genetic evidence, the constitutional implications of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based genealogical searching, and the scope of discovery obligations related to Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) investigative methods. The materials include: (1) an order denying the defense’s motion to suppress genetic information; (2) the prosecution’s response to the defense’s Fourth Amendment claim; (3) the defense’s brief supporting its motion to suppress genetic evidence; (4) the prosecution’s follow up motion to reopen regarding disclosure of the FGG process; (5) the prosecution’s memorandum in support of its motion in limine seeking non-disclosure of the FGG process and any leads it generated; and (6) the prosecution’s motion in limine requesting non-disclosure of the FGG process and investigative leads.
May 2024