A panel of experts in the criminal justice arena will examine expert testimony regarding DNA, how it’s presented, and what effect it may have on deliberation and the final verdict. Topics to be addressed will include reporting and testimony following current recommend guidelines by the community (e.g., source, activity level propositions, etc.), best practices for trial preparation, admissibility hearings, and presenting and admitting expert testimony. The panel will include former and current scientists, lawyers, and judges. The workshop will conclude with an open discussion based on topics the attendees are most interested in.
Former/current scientists, lawyers and judges involved in courtroom proceedings involving forensic DNA testing. Suitable for those just beginning.
A panel of experts in the criminal justice arena will examine expert testimony regarding DNA, how it’s presented, and what effect it may have on deliberation and the final verdict. Topics to be addressed will include reporting and testimony following current recommend guidelines by the community (e.g., source, activity level propositions, etc.), best practices for trial preparation, admissibility hearings, and presenting and admitting expert testimony. The panel will include former and current scientists, lawyers, and judges. The workshop will conclude with an open discussion based on topics the attendees are most interested in.
Former/current scientists, lawyers and judges involved in courtroom proceedings involving forensic DNA testing. Suitable for those just beginning.
Fees include printed workshop materials, breakfast, lunch, and breaks
Workshop currently at capacity. A waitlist is available to join on our registration page.
Director, Forensic Biology Department, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Craig O’Connor, PhD. is the Director of the Department of Forensic Biology at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the largest public forensic DNA laboratory in the United States. He oversees the daily operations and staff of about 200 analysts, technicians, and support personnel.
Technical Leader, Signature Science
Samantha Wandzek is the Technical Leader of Signature Science’s Forensic DNA Laboratory in Austin, Texas. Ms. Wandzek oversees all technical aspects of the laboratory including validation and implementation of all forensic methods. In addition, she continues to function as a Forensic DNA Analyst by reporting and performing technical review of DNA analyses and case files.
Assistant State Attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida
Pascale Achille is an Assistant State Attorney in the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida. She has worked as an Assistant State Attorney for twelve years and eight years of her career as a civil attorney handling federal and state matters. Ms. Achille drafted appellate briefs and argued before the Second and Fifth District Courts of Appeal while in civil practice. During her tenure as an Assistant State Attorney, she was assigned to the Sexual Battery Unit, the Career Criminal Unit and is a member of the Homicide Trial Unit since 2018.
Circuit Court Judge, Palm Beach County
Caroline Shepherd is a Circuit Court Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County, Florida. Since 2019, she has served in the Criminal Division primarily doing felony trials. She also handled First Appearances, Criminal Arraignments, and Adult Drug Court. She was the recipient of the Peter Fairclough Memorial Recognition Award for her work with alcohol and substance-addicted individuals in Palm Beach County. Judge Shepherd has served as the judicial representative on the Homeless Advisory Board, has served as Chair of the Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, has served on the Courthouse Security Committee, has initiated the Homeless Court planning committee and is a frequent guest speaker at local Palm Beach County schools.
Assistant State Attorney, West Palm Beach State Attorney's Office
Diva Casas, J.D., LL.M. has been working as an Assistant State Attorney since 2012. Since 2017 she has worked in the Gangs, Guns, and Drug Trafficking Unit and is currently the Chief of that unit as well as the Intake Unit at the State Attorney’s Office in West Palm Beach where she is responsible for overseeing all subordinate attorneys.
Diva specializes in complex criminal litigation including but not limited to gang/continuing criminal enterprise racketeering, T-3 wiretaps, circumstantial solicitation and conspiracy cases, overdose homicide investigations and prosecutions, complex robbery investigations, high level drug trafficking organizations, money laundering cases, etc.
DNA Specialist, Forensic Science & Cold Case Unit, Kings County District Attorney’s Office
In March of 2017, Ms. Horan joined the Kings County District Attorney’s Office as a DNA Specialist in the Forensic Science & Cold Case Unit. She became the first forensic scientist to be hired on staff at a prosecutor’s office in New York State. Ms. Horan is responsible for providing training in serology and DNA testing for staff attorneys and local law enforcement. She also assists in grand jury and trial preparation for all DNA prosecutions and works with the NYPD Cold Case Squad in their homicide investigations.
Partner, Goldberger Weiss, P.A.
Jason Weiss is a Partner at Goldberger Weiss, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida. After serving as a prosecutor in Palm Beach County for three years, he joined the firm in 1999 and has since dedicated his practice exclusively to criminal defense.
