This new, two-day course addresses the rapidly expanding science and technology behind the use of DNA evidence and emphasizes that prosecutors who understand and embrace DNA evidence will be better equipped to combat complex cases. This course will provide prosecutors the tools they need to understand the science behind the crime lab through workshops taught by experienced trial attorneys and experts in the forensic science field. The course will also include an experiential component in which prosecutors will interact with a mock crime scene simulating common issues, problems, and mistakes made in the collection of evidence. Most importantly, through experiential learning, prosecutors will be trained to present DNA results at trial so a jury can understand the evidence, accept the argument, and convict the offender.
Dates of the next course offerings are still to be determined. Interested law enforcement and prosecutors can join the waitlist below to be notified when more information is available.
Sample Agenda
Day One
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions |
| 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | We’re Just Going to Talk: From Opening to Closing |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Opening/Closing Work Block |
| 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Opening Exercises |
| 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. | Break |
| 2:45 – 4:15 p.m. | Jury Selection in Child Abuse Cases |
| 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. | Intro to Jury Selection Exercise and Jury Questionnaire |
Day Two
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Work Block for July Selection |
| 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. | Jury Selection Exercise |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 2:45 p.m. | Effective Presentation of Child Abuse Cases to a Jury: An Updated Multi-Media Approach |
| 2:45 – 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Exhibit Exercise |
Day Three
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. | When the Smoke Clears |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Expert Roundtable: Forensic Interviewing, DNA, Forensic Technology |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Cross-Examination of Defendants and Defense Witnesses |
| 1:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Break |
| 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | Work Block: Cross-Examination of Defendants |
| 2:45 – 5:00 p.m. | Cross-Examination of Defendants Exercise |
Day Four
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Exercises: Closing Arguments |
| 10:15 – 10:25 a.m. | Break |
| 10:25 – 11:30 a.m. | No Perfect Victim: Overcoming Jury Bias with Difficult Kids |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
Testimonials
“You don’t always get to surround yourself in a training of this type with prosecutors who have as much experience specifically in child abuse cases as those that did at this training and to also have the time to listen to feedback and converse about ideas.”
“I sincerely appreciated this course as a course for more experienced prosecutors who handle these cases regularly. There are other trial advocacy courses, but my issue with them is that they are usually a general topic like DWI’s to have one specifically dedicated to child abuse is such a great resource on such a difficult subject matter.”
“It was a great experience. I am grateful to Zero Abuse and all you do to equip boots on the ground with the skills they need to combat child abuse.”
