NACDL Releases Report on Recommendations for Strengthening Forensic Science Evidence
As reported by The Champion, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers released a 12-page preliminary report advocating a change in the forensic science community with hopes of establishing a national resource center.
NACDL President Cynthia Orr said cases often are broken on scientific evidence. Orr said crime labs throughout the country have uncovered hundreds of cases where mistakes have been made, resulting in false convictions.
The report also recommends education, training and certification of forensic science experts and lab technicians, with regular proficiency testing. Forensic science practitioners need to develop and adhere to a national professional code of ethics, according to the article, with disciplinary procedures for poor conduct and biased testimony.
Read the full article as reported by The Champion in December 2009.