Scientific Expertise in the Courtroom, 3/29

March 29, 2018

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Science History Institute

315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Testimony by scientific experts plays a key role in criminal and civil cases throughout the U.S. Yet it is an area that is continually evolving as cutting-edge scientific procedures are developed and new ethical questions are raised.

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and the Science History Institute bring together top scholars and experienced practitioners in evidence, psychology, economics and ethics to tackle some of the field’s most pressing issues in a symposium entitled “Scientific Expertise in the Courtroom.” Topics of discussion include the crisis in forensic science; the standards for admissibility of expert testimony, including statistical estimation evidence; the problem of bias in expertise; the ethical dilemmas of attorneys drafting expert reports; and the ethical challenges when consulting experts become testifying experts.

The event takes place on Thursday, March 29, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Science History Institute (315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia). This program is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 2 substantive and 1 ethics CLE credits. 

Schedule of Events

8:30 – 9 a.m.: Registration and Coffee
 

9 – 9:10 a.m.: Welcome Remarks
 

9:10 – 10:30 a.m.: Issues of Forensic Science in the Criminal Context

Jules Epstein, Director of Advocacy Programs, Temple University Beasley School of Law

Jennifer Gentile Long, CEO, AEquitas: The Prosecutors’ Resource on Violence against Women

Kevin Todorow, JD Candidate, Temple University Beasley School of Law

Moderated by David S. Caudill, Professor of Law and Arthur M. Goldberg Family Chair, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
 

10:30 – 10:40 a.m.: Break
 

10:40 – 11:30 a.m.: Statistical Estimation Evidence in Toxic Tort Cases, and the Impact of Human Psychology in Criminal Cases

Jonah Gelbach, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Adam Benforado, Professor, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Moderated by Jody A. Roberts, Director of Institute for Research, Science History Institute

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.: Break

11:40 – 12:30 p.m.: Examining the Practical and Ethical Issues of Expert Testimony

Stephen G. Harvey, Steve Harvey Law LLC

David S. Caudill, Professor of Law and Arthur M. Goldberg Family Chair, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Moderated by Shea M. Rhodes, Director, Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute) at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law