Scientific Evidence

Additional Info

This course will explore the use of scientific experts and evidence by attorneys in preparation for litigation. The course will initially examine the admissibility of such experts and evidence. Once this foundation is laid, we next discuss specific scientific topics that frequently will be encountered by attorneys, including statistical inferences, DNA, forensic issues, medical causation, behavioral science and expert ethics.  In order for the student to gain a greater appreciation of the application of the law to these various scientific topics, cases with photographs and exhibits will be used to generate discussion of the issues surrounding the admissibility and limitations of science at trial. Of note, some of the photographs dealing with the forensic specialties may be of a graphic nature. Finally, it is presumed that the student has no scientific background; therefore, basic scientific principles that are applicable to the legal discussion will be presented to promote a full understanding of the significance of the science and how it relates to the law.