US SUPREME COURT REVISITS RULE REQUIRING LAB TESTIMONY

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Jan. 11 in a new case that raises questions about how lower courts may carry out its six-month-old precedent set in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, requiring lab analysts to be available to testify if their lab results are entered into evidence. Many state attorneys general and prosecutors are hoping the court will overrule its decision.

“Already data and anecdotal evidence are demonstrating an overwhelming negative impact,” a friend-of-the-court brief submitted by 26 attorneys general last month said. The Melendez-Diaz decision, they said, “is already proving unworkable,” the New York Times reported.

To read the full story, go to www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/us/20scotus.html?emc=eta1.

MID-YEAR IAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The IAI’s Board of Directors will hold a mid-year meeting in Orlando on January 20th and 21st2010. If anyone has items for board consideration, please forward them to Board Chair Bob Garrett at robert.garrett@theiai.org and/or Joe Polski at the IAI office.

DHS GRANTS ANNOUNCED

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion, funds for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. Grant information can be accessed here. Proposals are due January 22 2010 or in some cases April 19 2010.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE MOIA OFFICERS

The MOIA Officers and Board of Directors wish it's members and others in the forensic community worldwide a safe and happy holiday season.

Persons with news of interest should submit them by e-mail to webmaster@moia.org or via fax at (267) 347-8923.

1999-2009

Our web site, moia.org, celebrates ten years of continuous operations.

This Newsletter is an official publication of the Michigan-Ontario Identification Association (Division of the IAI).

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