Introduction to the West Virginia Law Review Flawed Forensics and Innocence Symposium

Abstract

A chimera is the unique situation where the DNA of multiple people is collected in a single human being — twins joined together in the womb, for example. Such an anomaly is as likely as a convention of the best-known experts in both forensics and law to discuss ideas, setbacks, and advancements in the field of legal forensics. In Appalachia. In the winter. Indeed, the collection of scholars in both disciplines together, in a single locale anywhere, anytime, is rare.

While legal scholars and forensics experts frequently identify similar challenges and problems in the field, we generally examine those issues — and their potential solutions — in our own disciplinary silos. Unfortunately, the lack of a common gathering of both legal and forensics experts interested in changing the use of courtroom forensics impedes a more collaborative approach. The West Virginia Law Review’s symposium, “Flawed Forensics and Innocence,” provided us an opportunity to take a different tack.

Keywords: forensics, evidence, criminal, justice, legal, science, innocence