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Saks to discuss future of forensic science


June 11, 2010

Regents’ Professor Michael Saks is a featured speaker at two upcoming events in Lexington, Kentucky, where he will discuss the 2009 national report about the future of forensic science.

On June 15, at the 37th annual Public Defender Education Conference, Saks will address the use of the National Academy of Sciences’ report, “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.” The report, an extensive evaluation of forensic science, was completed by the National Research Council at the request of Congress.

Saks will present “Does Forensic Science Have a New Future?” on June 16 at the Kentucky Bar Association’s 2010 Convention, “Building Blocks of Democracy: Civics, Communities, Access to Justice.” His talk, part of a CLE, will explain some of the major problems the council found with the forensic sciences, highlight some of its recommendations, and discuss its assessment of judicial performance in this area.

Shortly after the report’s release, Saks co-chaired a major conference at the College of Law, “Forensic Science in the 21st Century: The National Academy of Sciences and Beyond,” which was attended by 400 scholars, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, private attorneys, forensic scientists, technicians and lab managers, criminalists and students.

He is a Regents’ Professor of Law and Psychology, and a Faculty Fellow in the College of Law’s Center for Law, Science & Innovation. His research focuses on empirical studies of the legal system, especially decision-making, the behavior of the litigation system, and the law’s use of science. Saks is the fourth most-cited law-and-social-science scholar in the U.S., and has authored approximately 200 articles and books. Courses he has taught include criminal law, evidence, law and science, property and torts.

Janie Magruder, Jane.Magruder@asu.edu
(480) 727-9052
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law