|
|
Eighty-five judges, including 30 from Ohio, are learning about advanced forensic principles at the National Judges’ Science School through Friday at The Ohio State University. The seminar is part of the Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource (ASTAR) Program – a national program designed to prepare judges to preside over cases involving complex scientific issues.
A reception tonight at the Ohio Judicial Center will conclude the first day of training. The Columbus gathering is the second national training this year with two more scheduled for October and November at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
Titled “Advanced Forensic Technologies,” the seminar features renowned presenters and topics exploring DNA tests and their interpretations as evidence in court, trace evidence origin with special reference to bullet lead analyses, computer/internet discovery and motions for exclusion or suppression in electronic crimes cases and observations about the “CSI Effect” among jurors.
“Through this training, judges learn about cutting-edge science and technological issues that may come before the court and are oftentimes cases of first impression,” said Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, who serves on ASTAR’s national board. “The training also assists judges in becoming more adept at resolving legal and evidentiary issues in complex scientific cases and determining whether an expert’s testimony is reliable and well-established or a personal theory.”
Chief Justice Moyer as well as several of Ohio’s ASTAR fellows will serve as presenters and moderators on several seminar panels. Other notable presenters include: Douglas Hares, director of DNA Examination and On-Line DNA Database for the FBI; Ivan Orton, senior deputy prosecuting attorney for complex prosecutions and investigations division for the King County Prosecuting Attorney in Seattle; and Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth, president and incoming CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute.
Ohio has 15 judges in the current ASTAR class who were selected by the Supreme Court to participate in the program. Another class of 20 judges has completed two years in the program and acquired 120 hours of training to become fellows.
The Ohio State training, which will be attended by about 85 judges from 18 states and the District of Columbia, is funded by a federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Ohio and Maryland spearheaded ASTAR, which offers standardized training to judges around the country to handle the increasing volume of complex, high-tech cases on court dockets. Throughout the year, the judges participate in sessions focused on forensics, agricultural science, reproductive medicine and computer science. Participating judges have made five-year commitments to continue their scientific training through ASTAR.
Learn more about the ASTAR program at http://einshac.org/.
Editor’s note: The following is a list of Ohio’s current ASTAR students and ASTAR fellows.
2008 Ohio ASTAR Program Participants |
|
Judge Eric Brown |
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Joyce A. Campbell |
Fairfield Municipal Court |
Judge Christopher Collier |
Medina County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Sean C. Gallagher |
8th District Court of Appeals |
Judge Thomas H. Gerken |
Hocking County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Cheryl S. Karner |
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas-Domestic Relations Division |
Judge Fred Nelson |
Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Charles A. Schneider |
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh |
Summit County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Michael Ward |
Athens County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Thomas D. White |
Holmes County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge Beth Whitmore |
9th District Court of Appeals |
Judge Mark K. Wiest |
Wayne County Court of Common Pleas |
Judge William H. Wolff, Jr. |
2nd District Court of Appeals |
Judge Norman G. Zemmelman |
Lucas County Court of Common Pleas-Domestic Relations Division |
Ohio ASTAR Fellows |
|
Judge Randall L. Basinger |
Judge David T. Matia |
Judge Charles E. Brown |
Judge Elizabeth B. Mattingly |
Judge Janet R. Burnside |
Judge Carla D. Moore |
Retired Judge Joseph T. Clark |
Judge Robert C. Pollex |
Judge Dan W. Favreau |
Judge Robert P. Ringland |
Judge H.F. Inderlied Jr., Ret. |
Judge Joseph N. Schmenk |
Judge Jan Michael Long |
Judge Lee Sinclair |
Judge Eugene A. Lucci |
Judge Lynn C. Slaby |
Judge Thomas M. Marcelain |
Judge Thomas F. Zachman |
Judge Melba D. Marsh |
|
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250