Criminal Justice

1st Forensic Academy

for the Prosecution & Law Enforcement

Hurst, Texas, USA

Past Event

MCLE Credit available

Hurst Conference Center
1601 Campus Drive
Hurst, TX 76054

View Map

Registrar: +1.972.244.3404
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: cail@cailaw.org

Overview

Presented by The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) & the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office with funds awarded to CAIL by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

The first in an anticipated series of future trainings, this program spotlights DNA and forensic issues affecting the prosecution and law enforcement.  Discussions will provide a review of recent legislative updates, current trends, laboratory processes, and other forensic disciplines related to prosecutions. This program aims to highlight how forensics – when properly understood and appropriately used – can curb mistakes and ensure the integrity of evidence presented in the courtroom.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Who Should Attend?

With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to Prosecuting Attorneys, their Staff and Law Enforcement Officials.

Schedule and Faculty

(as of 9/12/19)

7:00 am


Check-In & Registration (Breakfast Provided)

8:00 am


Welcome & Introductions

  • Mark Smith, The Center for American and International Law, Plano, TX
  • Sharen Wilson, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney, Fort Worth, TX

8:15 am


The Texas Forensic Science Commission, Accreditation, Licensing & Legislative Changes: What Law Enforcement & Prosecutors Should Know

  • Lynn Garcia, Texas Forensic Science Commission, Austin, TX

9:15 am


Forensic Basics: Serology, DNA & Probabilistic Genotyping

  • Connie Patton, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, Fort Worth, TX
  • Melissa Haas, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Garland, TX

10:15 am


Break

10:30 am


CODIS: Regulations, Databases & Familial Searches

  • Gary Molina, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Austin, TX

11:00 am


Panel: DNA Trends

Panelists will discuss the latest technology and trends in DNA: Rapid DNA and Forensic Genealogy.

Moderator: Lynn Garcia, Texas Forensic Science Commission, Austin, TX

  • Dr. Bruce Budowle, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • Melissa Haas, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Garland, TX
  • Connie Patton, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, Fort Worth, TX
  • Dr. Peter Stout, Houston Forensic Science Center, Houston, TX

12:00 pm


Lunch (Provided)

12:30 pm


Keynote Lunch Presentation: Catching the Golden State Killer

  • Dr. Barbara Rae Venter, Genetic Genealogy Consultant, Monterey, CA

1:30 pm


Break

1:45 pm


Panel: What Labs Need You to Know

Panelists will discuss the scope of services, collection and submission requirements with a focus on the impact of new legislation involving sexual assault kit testing, pre-arrest DNA collection and hemp testing.

Moderator: Brady Mills, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Austin, TX

  • Christina Capt, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • Dr. Sue Howe, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office Crime Lab, Fort Worth, TX
  • James Nichols, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Garland, TX
  • Michael Ward, Fort Worth Crime Lab, Fort Worth, TX

3:15 pm


Break

3:30 pm


What Happens When Something Goes Wrong in the Lab?

  • Dr. Sue Howe, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office Crime Lab, Fort Worth, TX

4:30 pm


Adjourn

CLE Credit

As of 9/25/19: Please be aware regarding available CLE for this program: As our actual program ended earlier than originally reported to the State Bar of Texas for CLE credit, the maximum credit we can report for attendees will be 6.25 hours. This correction will be made to any GREEN CLE forms turned in to us requesting 7.0 hours of credit.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 6.25 hours, no ethics. Course ID Number: 174058552.

In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California and Oklahoma. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.

TCOLE Credit

Law enforcement personnel attending this course are eligible for 8 hours of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) credit.

Other Information

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.

Presented by