DNA: A Prosecutor's Practice Notebook.

Through funding provided by the National Institute of Justice in conjunction with the president's DNA Initiative, APRI has created DNA: A Prosecutor's Practice Notebook, a 5.5 hour online interactive training program designed to assist prosecutors in understanding and applying forensic DNA evidence in the courtroom. The material also provides practice points to assist prosecutors in presenting DNA-related evidence to judges and juries. The online version of the material can be found at www.dna.gov under the subheading "Officers of the Court" or the specific notebook link at this site. In compiling the materials for the notebook, APRI staff was assisted by DNA prosecutors Norm Gahn, assistant district attorney, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Robert Laurino, chief assistant prosecutor, Newark, New Jersey; Brenda Mezick, division chief, Miami, Florida; Matt Redle, county and prosecuting attorney, Sheridan, Wyoming; Steve Redding, senior assistant county attorney, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Patti Powers, senior deputy attorney, Yakima, Washington; noted FBI forensic examiners Dr. Samuel Baechtel, Dr. Catherine Theisen and Eric Pokorak; and Zack Gaskin, forensic examiner, United Forensics Inc., Rockwood, Pennsylvania.

The notebook was designed to provide prosecutors who have little or no DNA courtroom experience with a foundational understanding of the science of DNA and its legal application in the courtroom. The material is designed to take approximately 5.5 hours to complete. In its online format, the material can be viewed on any computer and over multiple sessions. The instruction is self-paced and includes a resource section containing predicate questions for qualifying analysts, caselaw, sample reports, warrants and sample pre-trial motions. Throughout the material, the user is able to test and reinforce their understanding of the information through a series of questions and interactive scenarios. At the conclusion of the online training the student is directed back to www.dna.gov to print a certificate of completion. Currently, at least one state is seeking CLE...