Author: Yujiemi Chisholm

Legal Document Repository

Maryland Criminal Procedure – Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search – Applicability for Deceased and Missing Individuals

The Maryland General Assembly enacted an amendment (effective October 1, 2024) to the comprehensive statute limiting the application and use of Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search (FGGS) set forth in Title 17 of the Criminal Procedure Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, excluding steps taken using FGGS to identify unidentified human remains from coverage of Title 17. This comprehensive statute was originally enacted, and took effect, on October 1, 2021.
Legal Document Repository

Washington v. Miller – Case Documents

1) Affidavit of Probable Cause
2) Defendant’s Motion to Exclude Evidence
3) Defense Trial Brief and Motions in Limine
4) State’s Response to Defense Motions
Legal Document Repository

State’s Response to Defense Motions (Washington v. Miller)

Prosecution addresses four evidentiary issues raised in the case including: 1) relevance of jail calls made by the defendant, 2) access to firearms, 3) newspaper articles, and 4) statistical probability not necessary pertaining a to female fraction in a differential extraction.
Investigative Stage (Pre-Charge) Issues

Family Tree Memo (State of Maryland v. Biagas)

An example of the completion of a family tree build-out established as part of the Forensic Genetic Genealogy investigation within a Maryland homicide case.
National Institute of Justice

Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner/Coroner Offices

This report, which was mandated by The Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016, details the results of a national needs assessment of forensic science service providers conducted in 2017 and 2018. The needs assessment focused on services provided by forensic laboratories, medical examiner and coroner offices, and other forensic science service providers. As forensic analyses have expanded and become more sensitive, and as practitioners have established more evidence-based policies and capabilities, the broad demand for forensics has grown. Forensic laboratories and medical examiner and coroner offices are constantly working to address the needs of the field, balancing operational priorities to meet stakeholder requests while introducing innovative solutions to solve emerging criminal justice questions. This needs assessment compiled demonstrative evidence of how the field is adapting to advancements in technology, the volume and types of forensic evidence, and the evolving needs of the justice system [Description provided by the NIJ website].