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Author: Yujiemi Chisholm
District Attorney’s Office, Denver, CO

People’s Response to Defense Motion to Dismiss for Pre-Indictment Delay (Colorado v. Cumberbatch)

Charges for a 1994 homicide brought in 2020 only when advances in forensic capabilities led to a DNA ‘hit’ of the defendant in the Combined DNA Index System in 2018. The following claims were made by the defense: 1) statute of limitations (found to be not applicable to first-degree murder charge), 2) state’s failure to preserve evidence (addressed and rejected), 3) unavailability of witnesses and “other suspects” due to lapse of time (addressed and rejected), and 4) constitutional due process violation (rejected due to no constitutional right to a “speedy arrest”).
August 2022
District Attorney’s Office, Denver, CO

People’s Motion in Limine (Colorado v. Cumberbatch)

Prosecution’s motion in limine in a 1994 Colorado murder-sexual offense case. The prosecution sought to admit several “sanitized” police contacts with the defendant in Denver in 1994. This motion in limine was an attempt to limit prejudicial elements of the police contacts.
July 2022
FTCOE

Just The Components Of Forensic Biology And DNA

In episode five of the FTCOE’s Strengthening the Forensic Workforce season, the presenters discuss forensic biology and DNA as it relates to evolving techniques, the importance of training, and the value of student research within the laboratory.
June 2022
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map

The Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map is intended to be used to help improve efficiencies while reducing errors, highlight gaps where further research or standardization would be beneficial, and assist with training new examiners. It may also be used to develop specific laboratory policies and identify best practices [Description provided by the NIST Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map].
May 2022
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Highlights

Exoneration of Terance Calhoun

In 2007, Terance Calhoun was convicted of sexual assault of two victims. DNA testing excluded him in 2007. Additional DNA testing was performed in 2019 by Bode confirming the original testing. On January 10, 2022, the Michigan State Police reported that a search of the FBI DNA database linked the DNA profile from the condom to a man who “is currently charged with other sexual assault offenses in the Detroit area that are alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2014.” He was exonerated in April 2022.
May 2022
National Institute of Justice

National Best Practices for Improving DNA Laboratory Process Efficiency

DNA forensic laboratories are at a crossroads. Faced with a rising demand for analysis and constrained by limited financial resources, laboratories must find new and innovative ways to reduce backlogs and increase productivity. The recommendations in this National Institute of Justice-produced guide, authored by experts in forensic science and laboratory management, are aimed at improving efficiency in a multitude of essential tasks that DNA forensic laboratories routinely perform. These tasks range from hiring and training personnel to formulating and enforcing case acceptance policies, implementing existing and new technologies and methodologies, managing casework and tracking laboratory workflows, analyzing data, and compiling final reports that nonscientists can comprehend. This guide’s recommendations are also designed to help laboratories anticipate changes — including technological advances and new legislation — that may affect their caseloads [Description provided by the NIJ website].
May 2022
FTCOE

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Award Management

This webinar provides information about the main life cycle of grant management and award management basics, including compliance, requirements, modifications, and award closeout. This is the final part of the three-part BJA Forensic Grants 101 series, which also delivered insight into the administrative, programmatic, and financial aspects of BJA grant administration requirements.
March 2022
FTCOE

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Grant Application And Award Acceptance

This is the second webinar within the three-part BJA Forensic Grants 101 series. This webinar highlights the initial steps of applying for BJA grant opportunities, as well as the application submission and peer review process for applying to these various forensic science grant opportunities. This webinar concludes with next steps if a project is selected for funding and what is involved in accepting the award.
March 2022
FTCOE

BJA Forensic Grants 101 – Forensic Grant Opportunities

This webinar is the first within a three-part series hosted by the BJA, BJA Forensic Grants 101, which outlines the various forensic science programs available at BJA, including their history and examples of relevant projects offered by BJA, in addition to an overview of the $100 million federally funded forensic science grant opportunities offered by BJA.
March 2022

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