Other Programs

Regional DNA Training

What You Need to Know About DNA Mixtures

Past Event

MCLE Credit will be available

St. Mary’s University School of Law
One Camino Santa Maria
Ernest A. Raba Law Building
San Antonio, TX 78228

Rooms LC101 and LC102

Contact the Texas Forensic Science Commission at 512.936.0770 for any program questions.

Overview

This is a FREE Texas CLE event. The class will be held in Rooms LC101 and LC102 in the Ernest A. Raba law building. Lunch will be provided.

An interactive map of St. Mary’s University may be viewed at the following link: https://www.stmarytx.edu/map/

Schedule and Faculty

8:00 am


Registration and sign-in

8:30 am


Welcome Session: Where We Stand with DNA Mixtures in Texas
(Lynn Garcia/Bob Wicoff)

9:00 am


DNA Evidence Refresher – What It Is and What It Isn’t

This session will focus on the basics. As part of this “reset,” scientists will discuss the basics of DNA testing from receipt of evidence to issuing a report, using an actual report and data to walk lawyers and judges through analysis and results.

Faculty: Erin Reat (Bexar County Crime Laboratory)

10:15 am


Break

10:30 am


Interpreting DNA Evidence Involving Two or More Individuals Including a Discussion of Recent Concerns

What are the limitations of DNA mixture testing, and how has the DNA community’s understanding of statistical principles changed? Why is there so much controversy surrounding interpretation of mixture evidence? Faculty will use examples of DNA mixture reports and elicit audience feedback throughout.

Faculty: Jody Koehler (DPS Austin)

12:00 pm


Lunch

1:00 pm


An Introduction to Probabilistic Genotyping

What is this new way of viewing DNA results? How is it different? Why is it considered superior to statistical methods of the past? Does it have any drawbacks? What are challenges with understanding the method and presenting the results in court?

Faculty: Chase Baumgartner (DPS Austin)

2:15 pm


Break

2:30 pm


Mock Hearings (Chapter 64 and Tex. Code Crim. Proc. 11.073)

During the first mock hearing, parties will debate the significance of a DNA statistic recalculated by a lab in the context of a Chapter 64 hearing. During the second session, parties will argue whether a Defendant should be entitled to relief for a case in which a recalculated result is beneficial to the defendant but there are other inculpatory case facts. Parties will discuss appropriate procedural vehicles and model pleadings for addressing the issues in these cases.

4:30 pm


Adjourn

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