Course Description: 

Guns, Grooves, and Gavels: Challenging Ballistics Comparison Evidence (Forensic U: Fall Semester 2022) is an intensive, two-day legal and forensic training program designed for public defenders, defense attorneys, and investigators. Held on August 22–23, 2022, at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, WI, the course provides a practical and legal framework for litigating firearms examination and toolmark evidence in criminal cases. The curriculum bridges foundational science with courtroom application—covering firearm mechanics, pattern-matching methodologies, scientific criticisms (e.g., PCAST and NAS reports), legal standards for exclusion under Daubert and Frye, discovery strategies, and hands-on cross-examination practice using real-world fact patterns.

Speakers: 

• Colin Nicholson – WI State Public Defender’s Office (Janesville Trial)
• Joseph Cavise – Cook County Public Defender’s Office
• Richard Gutierrez – Cook County Public Defender’s Office
• Colleen Taylor – WI State Public Defender’s Office (Milwaukee Trial)

Course Highlights: 

• Introduction to Firearms & Hands-on Session: Practical introduction to firearm operation, components, and physical handling.
• Intro to Ballistic Comparison Evidence: Overview of class, subclass, and individual characteristics, microscopic striations, and comparative matching exercises.
• Excluding & Limiting Ballistics Evidence: Deep dive into the scientific limitations of firearms examination, including subjectivity, lack of objective metrics, false-positive error rates, cognitive bias, and subclass interference.
• Legal Standards & Challenges Under Daubert / Frye: Strategies for litigating pre-trial motions to exclude or restrict examiner testimony from declaring source certainty or zero-error rates.
• Breaking Down a Ballistics Case & Discovery Goals: Identifying case file deficiencies, requesting complete bench notes and 3D imagery, and preparing effective cross-examinations.
• Fact Pattern Analysis & Breakout Exercises: Small-group practical application involving a multi-shooting fact pattern (State v. Rochester), drafting cross-examinations, and practicing cross-examinations before faculty.

Referenced Case Law: 

• Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993)
• Dyas v. United States, 376 A.2d 827 (D.C. 1977)
• Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923)
• Gopalratnam v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 877 F.3d 771 (7th Cir. 2017)
• Illinois v. Winfield, No. 15 CR 14066-01 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cty.)
• Motorola Inc. v. Murray, 147 A.3d 751 (D.C. 2016)
• People v. Ross, 68 Misc. 3d 899 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2020)
• State v. DeJesus, 7 Wn. App. 2d 849 (2019)
• State of Wisconsin v. Edward Rochester, Dane County CCAP 20CF1 / 21CF1
• United States v. Adams, 444 F. Supp. 3d 1248 (D. Or. 2020)
• United States v. Glynn, 578 F. Supp. 2d 567 (S.D.N.Y. 2008)
• United States v. Green, 405 F. Supp. 2d 104 (D. Mass. 2005)
• United States v. Johnson, 2019 WL 1130258 (S.D.N.Y. 2019)
• United States v. Monteiro, 407 F. Supp. 2d 351 (D. Mass. 2006)
• United States v. Otero, 849 F. Supp. 2d 425 (D.N.J. 2012)
• United States v. Romero-Lobato, 379 F. Supp. 3d 1111 (D. Nev. 2019)
• United States v. Shipp, 422 F. Supp. 3d 762 (E.D.N.Y. 2019)
• United States v. Simmons, 2018 WL 1882827 (E.D. Va. 2018)
• United States v. Taylor, 663 F. Supp. 2d 1170 (D.N.M. 2009)
• United States v. Tibbs, 2019 WL 4359486 (D.C. Super. Ct. 2019)
• Williams v. United States, 210 A.3d 734 (D.C. 2019)