Stetson Law receives $400K grant to launch new forensic evidence training program

Law Professor Carol Henderson at Scotland Yard.
Law Professor Carol Henderson at Scotland Yard.

A new grant in the amount of $400,000 was awarded to Stetson University College of Law for the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law to develop a forensic evidence training program for lawyers who work on death penalty cases.

“This training program is crucial at a time when life or death often hinges on the presentation of forensic evidence in the courtroom,” said NCSTL Founding Director and Professor of Law Carol Henderson. Professor Henderson recently presented on the topic of legal and judicial education in forensic science at the European Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in Prague.

The grant, awarded by the U.S. Attorney General as part of the Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives, will support the development of a “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics” program. The new training program will provide in-person and webinar training on forensic science evidence and the use of expert testimony.

“Training in forensic evidence is essential to improve the quality of legal representation and to ensure reliable jury verdicts,” said Henderson.

Stetson’s National Clearinghouse was developed to foster communication between the scientific, technological and legal communities, providing comprehensive scientific, technological and legal information to promote justice based on sound science and technology. The Clearinghouse has trained more than 13,500 legal and scientific professionals since its inception.

For more information on Stetson’s new program and to learn more about the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson, visit http://www.ncstl.org/.

Stetson University College of Law