Week 6 discussion

I. In your opinion what should a forensic scientist consider when analyzing a case? What if the investigator or state’s attorney wanted every item submitted tested. How would you support your decision to only test the items you think are necessary?

II. You are a judge and are required to rule on two motions: A) Evidence is being offered into evidence without a complete paper chain of custody. A motion to suppress the evidence for lack of a proper chain of custody has been made by the defendant. What would consider in making your motion and how would you rule? B) An expert DNA analyst is being offered to testify about an old case that the analyst did not conduct any personal analysis on. The analysis was conducted 5 years ago by a deceased analyst, the analyst being offered to testify had no interaction with this case other than looking at the file prior to testifying.  A motion to suppress the expert testimony has been made by the defendant. What would you consider in making your motion and how would you rule?