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Evidence Commons

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University of Massachusetts Law Review

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Full-Text Articles in Evidence

Dna In The Courtroom: The 21st Century Begins, James T. Griffith, Susan L. Leclair Dec 2014

Dna In The Courtroom: The 21st Century Begins, James T. Griffith, Susan L. Leclair

University of Massachusetts Law Review

DNA is one of the most significant discoveries in the field of forensic evidence yet it remains underutilized in the courtroom setting. This article provides an introduction to the scientific principles, structure and composition of DNA in an effort to make DNA more accessible to the judicial process.


Lessons Learned From 9/11: Dna Identification In Mass Fatality Incidents, National Institute Of Justice Dec 2014

Lessons Learned From 9/11: Dna Identification In Mass Fatality Incidents, National Institute Of Justice

University of Massachusetts Law Review

DNA analysis is the gold standard for identification of human remains from mass disasters. Particularly in the absence of traditional anthropological and other physical characteristics, forensic DNA typing allows for identification of any biological sample and the association of body parts, as long as sufficient DNA can be recovered from the samples. This is true even when the victim’s remains are fragmented and the DNA is degraded. While many effective laboratory protocols are available for DNA analysis, the analytical portion is only one part of the identification process.


Introduction To Excerpts From Lessons Learned From 9/11: Dna Identification In Mass Fatality Incidents, Glenn R. Schmitt Dec 2014

Introduction To Excerpts From Lessons Learned From 9/11: Dna Identification In Mass Fatality Incidents, Glenn R. Schmitt

University of Massachusetts Law Review

On the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the National Institute of Justice – the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice – published a major report on the identification of mass disaster victims using DNA analysis. The report was prepared by the Kinship and Data Analysis Panel, a multidisciplinary group of scientists assembled by the National Institute of Justice to offer guidance to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the identification of those who perished in the World Trade Center.


The Science Behind Breath Testing For Ethanol, Thomas E. Workman Jr. Mar 2014

The Science Behind Breath Testing For Ethanol, Thomas E. Workman Jr.

University of Massachusetts Law Review

Nationwide, law enforcement officers utilize breath-test machines to identify suspected drunk drivers. When defense attorneys represent a client who has been charged with alcohol related driving crimes, it is important to understand the science and methodology behind alcohol breath-testing, and specifically the functionality of the device used to test their client. This article explains the various methods of testing and types of devices used, as well as their effectiveness, by examining the scientific principles associated with common testin measures. This article serves as an aid to the practicing attorney who, by understanding the science and methodology of breath-testing, will be …