AFTE 2007 Tuesday

Morning Moderator: Andy Smith Technical Session: Grand Ballroom A

8:00 AM		General Annoucements
		AFTE 2007 Committee Member
8:05 AM		3D Cartridge Case Update
		Serge Levesque – Forensic Technologies Inc. - Canada
	FT implemented the DFF (Depth From Focus) acquisition technique in the latest version of BrassTRAX-3D without any hardware change. DFF is used to acquire and view the actual 3D topography of a cartridge case. We will describe every step involved in this technique and demonstrate how a 3D topography is obtained from a set of 2D images. DFF also generates a Best Focus breech face image where any feature is in focus, including the firing pin region. In turn, this improves the 2D visualization. Combining the 3D topography and the Best Focus image generated by DFF yields a highly realistic representation of the cartridge.
8:20 AM		Rethinking Our Defense of Firearm / Toolmark Identification
		Diana Paul – Los Angeles Police Department – Los Angeles, CA
	Objectives: (1) To suggest an approach to defending the science of firearm/toolmark identification that answers the most basic questions about the foundation of our field in a way that juries and attorneys can understand. (2) To show that “real” science supports firearm / toolmark identification, not just our own “biased” literature. Methodology: Review of firearm / toolmark identification literature, metallurgy textbooks and consultation with a metallurgist. Results: The scientific support for firearm / toolmark identification is overwhelming and is based on basic metallurgy. However, we have not addressed our underlying scientific presumptions in a convincing, straightforward way to people outside of our field. Conclusions: While preparing for a Daubert hearing and trial, I developed an approach to defending the science of firearm / toolmark identification that differed from others I have read or seen presented at AFTE seminars and in classes. The material and information is not new or novel, however, my approach to the material may assist others in their defense of the field.
8:45 AM		Taking a Stand on Daubert! Daubert Acceptablity Criteria: Testibility and Error Rate
		Ron Nichols – BATFE Forensic Laboratory – Walnut Creek, CA
	There has been a tremendous amount published and presented dealing with how the discipline of firearms and tool marks meets the various elements of Daubert including: 1) testability of the scientific principle using the scientific method, 2) known or potential error rate 3) the existence and maintenance of standards of control, 4) peer review and publication, and 5) general acceptance in the relevant scientific community. This series of discussions will focus on Daubert principles in action. Each of the presenters will highlight particular prongs of Daubert and offer particularly relevant questions and responses to aid the audience in evaluating their own typical responses with regard to these issues. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the most recent Daubert hearing in San Francisco. It is important to remember that each testimony is an opportunity to educate and inform the criminal justice community of the scientific validity of the firearms and tool mark discipline and its application in the criminal justice community. It is hoped that this brief presentation will spur examiners to an introspective assessment of their own testimony and how improvement can be made.
9:10 AM		Taking a Stand on Daubert!
		*Daubert Acceptability Criteria: Relevant Scientific Community & Maintenance of Standards and Control* Ann Davis – Virginia Department of Forensic Science – Richmond, VA

9:35 AM		BREAK – Held in Vendor / Exhibitor Area – Grand Ballroom B & C
		*Sponsored by: Armor Forensics*

10:00 AM		DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS

10:10 AM		Taking a Stand on Daubert!
		*Daubert Acceptability Criteria: Peer Review* Dom Denio – Federal Bureau of Investigation – Quantico, VA

10:25 AM		Taking a stand on Daubert!
		*A Daubert Hearing in San Francisco – How it All Comes Together* Andy Smith – San Francisco Police Department – San Francisco, CA
	US v. Diaz Court Ruling (pdf)
10:50 AM		Command & Control on the Witness Stand: Employing the Principles of the OODA Loop
		Raymond Davis – CourtSkills – Eagle, ID
	The first part of the presentation will cover the principle elements contained in the OODA Loop developed by Colonel John Boyd. The acronym stands for Observe, Orient, Decide and Act. Boyd was an Air Force fighter pilot who developed air combat strategies for the US Military. Many of his contributions have been adapted throughout the military and used most notably in the first Gulf War. His talent for elucidating the steps required for obtaining and maintaining control in an adversarial/confrontational situation has also been used across all professional domains. The second part will cover how the OODA Loop functions to provide the expert witness with a high degree of command and control on the witness stand. The third part will cover examples from the author’s experience of 1600 courtroom trials. Specifically, how the principles inherent in the OODA Loop reduced confrontations on cross examination, shortened time on the witness stand, increased juror appreciation while enhancing credibility as an expert witness.
11:15 AM		Submachine Guns and Assault Rifles Used by ETA
		Serge Martin - Institut National de Police Scientifique - Laboratoire de Toulouse - France
	This is a short presentation on the most common submachine guns and assault rifles used by the Basque terrorist movement (ETA). Special attention will be paid to the hand made or modified submachine guns. Further, the evolutions and tendencies of the ETA armaments will be discussed.
11:40 AM		LUNCH (on your own)