When justice hinges on forensic evidence, the science behind it must be flawless. But that is not always the case. On March 3 and 4, 2016, the West Virginia Law Review held a symposium at the West Virginia University College of Law to explore the use of flawed forensics in the criminal justice system, entitled “Flawed Forensics and Innocence." Participants included national experts from higher education, the legal community, and advocacy groups.
Experts explored topics such as the use (and abuse) of forensic science in the courtroom, crime labs and federal oversight, litigating arson, and forensic evidence in pre-trial and post-conviction proceedings. Author and journalist Radley Balko, who writes about criminal justice and civil liberties for The Washington Post, delivered the key note address, and Innocence Project founder Barry Scheck spoke at lunch.
“We hope to educate the public and spark meaningful debate in the legal community about the need to make criminal justice reform a priority,” said Ben Hogan, editor-in-chief of the West Virginia Law Review. "We hope to educate the public and spark meaningful debate in the legal community about the need to make criminal justice reform a priority,” said Ben Hogan, editor-in-chief of the West Virginia Law Review.