Capital
University Law School Class Teaches Real-Life ‘CSI’ to Future
Lawyers
|
|
“When I developed the course three years ago there were few like it in the country. There was no model upon which to base a class like this,” Squires said.
The class introduces law students to subjects like explosives, DNA and forensic analysis of computers. The traditional sciences and techniques associated with lifting fingerprints, understanding human behavior and handwriting analysis also are examined. The forensic course exposes students to new and developing law and procedures, some of which debunk Hollywood hype shown on TV shows like “CSI.” Other techniques, like field-testing for blood residue and DNA matching, are shown to ring true.
“We call it the ‘CSI effect,’” Squires said. “There is an expectation that agents can swab a public phone receiver and get a full-color picture and data of a suspect in seconds. Scientific and technological advances allow us to do amazing things, but that just doesn’t happen.”
Those amazing advances, along with the limitations of forensic evidence, are hashed out so law students enter their civil and criminal legal careers with the real facts. Class lectures are supplemented by an impressive list of guest speakers.
Past speakers include nationally recognized local experts like Gary Wilgus, a special agent with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who lifted a fingerprint off a human corpse to help solve a series of rapes. Wilgus talked about crime scene procedures, while forensic psychologist Jeffrey Smalldon discussed his conversations and experiences with serial killers. A director of the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Va., presented the latest advances in DNA technologies. All offered a scientific perspective on evidence gathering, Squires explained.
“It’s the scientists who have the expertise in this, not the lawyers,” he said.
“Given the popularity of shows like CSI, I am not surprised by the high interest in this class,” said Jack A. Guttenberg, dean of the Law School. “Professor Squires brings to the classroom extensive knowledge and experience with violent street-level crimes and the new technologies he has dealt with like computer forensics, so students can learn and be exposed to the real facts and real-life situations.”
Squires began his legal career as a county prosecutor in California. As a deputy district attorney, he prosecuted narcotics, theft, violent crimes and numerous murders through jury trials. He is currently a federal prosecutor in Columbus, where he recently prosecuted and convicted marketing professor Roger Blackwell on insider trading charges.
While Squires’ focus for the last several years has been on white-collar crimes like health care fraud, he is gaining increased notoriety for his expertise in forensic evidence. He was invited to write a book chapter to a new edition of the law school casebook, “Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases” by Andre Moenssens. The chapter, “Forensic Accounting,” describes techniques and the law regarding white-collar crime.
This is Squires’ third year teaching Forensic Evidence at Capital. The three-credit-hour class meets for 15 weeks, and student enrollment is near capacity every semester.
For more information, contact Jessica Poprocki at (614) 236-6377.
