Thursday, March 13
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hamann Auditorium
The Student Innocence Project welcomes Tracy Hightower, President of the Nebraska Innocence Project, Pam Zilly, the Crime Laboratory Director of the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory, and local attorneys, to give an informative look at forensic science to educate us on the current system in Nebraska, scientific information, the cases, and what we are doing to ensure the system works here in Nebraska.
Since the late 1980s, DNA analysis has helped identify the guilty and exonerate the innocent nationwide. While DNA testing was developed through extensive scientific research at top academic centers, many other forensic techniques have never been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation. Meanwhile, forensics techniques that have been properly validated are sometimes improperly conducted or inaccurately conveyed in trial testimony. In some cases, forensic analysts have fabricated results or engaged in other misconduct. All of these problems constitute unvalidated or improper forensic science, which is the second-greatest contributor to wrongful convictions that have been overturned with DNA testing.
The event is also a CLE for practicing attorneys. $10 for non-UNL Law grads.
For more information, contact Kelsey Dawson at kelsey.dawson11@huskers.unl.edu