Moot Court

The ultimate challenge for the forensic scientist is to articulate specialized scientific concepts to laymen in the jury.

A unique partnership between the University at Albany’s NERFI and the New York Prosecutors Training Institute, the training arm of the New York State District Attorneys Association, provides the DNA Academy with its capstone event, the final week of our 12 week, 12 graduate credit hour training program.

In this week of Moot Court, students receive essential training in how to communicate complex evidentiary information in language that members of the court can understand.

At the Moot Court, NERFI and NYPTI work together to

• Design a forensic DNA case file
• Prepare students for trial
• Enact a moot court scenario in a courtroom setting using real attorneys

Case files for the Moot Court are prepared from the data generated by students in their laboratory work.

Students testify before prosecutors that have extensive experience in the courtroom.

The Moot Court proceedings are taped and critiqued, using the following criteria, as implemented by NYPTI:

• Did the analyst display proper courtroom demeanor throughout the pre-trial and court appearance?(Clothing, Posture, Facial expressions and gestures, Eye contact)
• Did the analyst prepare and understand the proceedings and report?
• Did the analyst answer these questions completely?
• Did the analyst speak clearly and concisely?
• Were the laboratory examinations thoroughly described?
• Was proper terminology used and scientific terms explained?
• Did the analyst effectively communicate the results documented in the report?
• Was the analyst able to present evidence in understandable terms?
• Did the analyst use demonstrations or visual aids? Were they effective?
• Were the questions answered directly, without implying bias?
• Did the analyst maintain a professional image throughout the proceedings?

At the end of this program, students will only need to be competency tested in their home laboratory.