News - March 2004

As part of the Human Rights and the Protection of Innocence symposium ( March 25-27 )

( An hour before the commencement of the talk, drinks will be held at the Institute of Advanced Studies - the old cricket pavilion verandah, on the opposite side of the oval to the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre. )

How DNA Evidence Is Transforming Criminal Justice

Abstract: DNA evidence has brought immeasurable benefits to the justice system but has raised important and challenging new issues for society to consider. The speaker will discuss how DNA tests work, how they have been used to identify criminals and to free the falsely accused, and how they occasionally go wrong. The speaker will identify potential risks and benefits that might arise from expanded use of DNA testing in the future and will discuss steps society might take to assure this technology is used appropriately for the maximum benefit of society.

Introduced by Attorney General Jim McGinty MLA

William Thompson is a professor in the Department of Criminology, Law & Society at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He received a JD from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall Law School) and a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. He frequently writes and speaks about scientific evidence, particularly forensic DNA testing. He also does research on human decision making, focusing on people’s ability to evaluate and draw conclusions from scientific and statistical evidence.

Although primarily an academic, Thompson occasionally returns to the courtroom to litigate cases involving novel scientific and statistical issues. He argued the first case concerning the admissibility of DNA evidence before the New Mexico Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He represented defendants in a number of high profile criminal trials, including O.J. Simpson, Sammy Marshall, John Cuff and Corey Robinson. He has also represented indigent prison inmates seeking post-conviction DNA tests. Thompson has also been involved in efforts to investigate fraud, misconduct and poor scientific practices in forensic laboratories. Thompson has also investigated and written about cases in which poor scientific work and misleading testimony by FBI laboratory examiners led to false convictions.

All Welcome

Enquiries to Terri-Ann White, Institute of Advanced Studies (Phone: +61 8 9380 1340 or email ias@admin.uwa.edu.au )

For more information on the symposium consult the website www.ias.uwa.edu.au

WA Branch site designed and maintained by Peter William Thomas - click to email

Site last updated August 2, 2004	(Select a button)


NEWS BULLETIN The University of Western Australia, in association with the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, cordially invite you to a Public Lecture by: Professor William C. Thompson, University of California, Irvine Thursday March 25 at 1900 hrs ( 7.00pm ) Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, UWA ( see attached map ) As part of the Human Rights and the Protection of Innocence symposium ( March 25-27 ) ( An hour before the commencement of the talk, drinks will be held at the Institute of Advanced Studies - the old cricket pavilion verandah, on the opposite side of the oval to the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre. ) How DNA Evidence Is Transforming Criminal Justice Abstract: DNA evidence has brought immeasurable benefits to the justice system but has raised important and challenging new issues for society to consider. The speaker will discuss how DNA tests work, how they have been used to identify criminals and to free the falsely accused, and how they occasionally go wrong. The speaker will identify potential risks and benefits that might arise from expanded use of DNA testing in the future and will discuss steps society might take to assure this technology is used appropriately for the maximum benefit of society. Introduced by Attorney General Jim McGinty MLA William Thompson is a professor in the Department of Criminology, Law & Society at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He received a JD from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall Law School) and a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. He frequently writes and speaks about scientific evidence, particularly forensic DNA testing. He also does research on human decision making, focusing on people’s ability to evaluate and draw conclusions from scientific and statistical evidence. Although primarily an academic, Thompson occasionally returns to the courtroom to litigate cases involving novel scientific and statistical issues. He argued the first case concerning the admissibility of DNA evidence before the New Mexico Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He represented defendants in a number of high profile criminal trials, including O.J. Simpson, Sammy Marshall, John Cuff and Corey Robinson. He has also represented indigent prison inmates seeking post-conviction DNA tests. Thompson has also been involved in efforts to investigate fraud, misconduct and poor scientific practices in forensic laboratories. Thompson has also investigated and written about cases in which poor scientific work and misleading testimony by FBI laboratory examiners led to false convictions. All Welcome Enquiries to Terri-Ann White, Institute of Advanced Studies (Phone: +61 8 9380 1340 or email ias@admin.uwa.edu.au ) For more information on the symposium consult the website www.ias.uwa.edu.au WA Branch site designed and maintained by Peter William Thomas - click to email