Saks to discuss future of forensic science
<p>Regents’ Professor <a href="http://apps.law.asu.edu/Apps/Faculty/Faculty.aspx?individual_id=28">Mic… Saks</a> 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.</p><separator></separator><p>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.</p><separator></separator><p>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.</p><separator></separator><p>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.</p><separator></separator><p>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.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: black; font-size: 9pt;" lang="EN">Janie Magruder, </span><a href="mailto:Jane.Magruder@asu.edu">Jane.Magruder@asu.edu</a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: black; font-size: 9pt;" lang="EN"><br />(480) 727-9052<br />Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law</span></p>