Teacher Overhead #3

The situation

The U.S. court system has been placing increasing pressure on forensic laboratories and the legal profession to address the controversial issue of DNA fingerprinting analysis and its use as evidence in court.

The National Association of Trial Lawyers (NATL) has directed its policy making committee to hold hearings among its members throughout the country for the purpose of coming up with recommendations that will state the conditions under which DNA evidence will be allowed in court.

Three representatives from the NATL have arrived in your city and will hold a hearing in three days to come up with a series of recommendations. As members of the association you will participate in the hearing by arguing recommendations that you want to see included as part of their report.

To produce your recommendations you must do the following:

1. Work in groups of three.

2. Review your notes from the videos and research material that your teacher provides and ask: Why has the court or prosecution disallowed DNA evidence in the past? Under what conditions could that evidence be permitted?

3. Brainstorm and prioritize a list of recommendations. 4. Write your recommendations and evidence on handout #1.

5. Orally present and defend your recommendation at the hearing.