Week 69 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week

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The week 69 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Christine Funk, Esquire

According to the website of Geek, the following is offered:

Christine Funk is a member of the Trial Team in the Office of the Public Defender for the State of Minnesota. She has been with the Public Defender’s Office since 1994. Christine got her first DNA case in 1995. Not being a scientist by training, she struggled to understand the DNA evidence in that and subsequent cases. Eventually, she managed to translate the scientific language into something she could understand. Since then, she has worked towards making scientific evidence understandable to lawyers and lay people everywhere. Christine is a frequent lecturer on DNA evidence as well as the impact of science on criminal lawyers. She serves on the Technical Working Group for DNA for Defense Attorneys, is a member of the Forensic Laboratory Advisory Board in Minnesota, and is on the Board of the Minnesota Innocence Project. Christine is also an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law, where she teaches Criminal Law, Advanced Trial Advocacy, and Wrongful Convictions.

Congratulations to our Forensic Science Geek of the Week winner!

OFFICIAL QUESTION:

: Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge

1. Identify this person

2. What branch of forensic science is he involved in?

4. Name some notable accomplishments/cases that he has been involved in?

Our Geek of the Week answered:

John Lentini is an arson expert. He puts the ‘science’ in forensic science. He was one of many arson experts who weighed in on the Cameron Todd Willingham case for the Innocence Project in 2006, found here: http://www.innocenceproject.org/docs/ArsonReviewReport.pdf. He is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He has graciously donated his time and knowledge to the jurisprudence section of AAFS at several annual meetings. He also testified before the National Academy of Sciences committee on the perils of ‘arson investigation.’

[BLOGGER’S NOTE: What a great answer. Thank you for participating. Congratulations on being our Geek of the Week.

Frontline on PBS did an amazing documentary on the Cameron Todd WIllingham case where Lentini’s work on the case was featured. It was called Frontline: Death By Fire. I would commend that to you to watch it.]

The Hall of Fame for the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week:

Week 1: Chuck Ramsay, Esquire

Week 2: Rick McIndoe, PhD

Week 3: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 4: Stephen Daniels

Week 5: Stephen Daniels

Week 6: Richard Middlebrook, Esquire

Week 7: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 8: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 9: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 10: Kelly Case, Esquire and Michael Dye, Esquire

Week 11: Brian Manchester, Esquire