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CMLawLibraryBlog

The CM Law Library Blog seeks to inform the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law community about key legal education, research, practice, and law library news, with a particular focus on Cuyahoga County and Ohio as well as faculty research interests.

DNA---The Ultimate Tattletale

Jessica Mathewson-Library Media Technical Asst.-jessica.mathewson@law.csuohio.edu | April 23, 2008 - 13:40

According to an article in the Washington Post, new DNA tests are now able to detect the minutest details of a person. It's beyond determining whose blood is at a crime scene. They claim they can now tell the psychological state of a person and if there are biological factors that predispose them to violence, possibly leading to a "DNA defense". The DNA tests may also play a role in determining amounts awarded in civil cases based on life expectancy of the plaintiff.

DNA may explain why someone committed a crime, but it does not it excuse it. The tests will probably play a role in sentencing. While these tests are not admissible yet, they will raise some interesting challenges to the legal profession in the future.

So next you get pulled over, use the "DNA defense"..."But officer, according to my DNA, I have lead in my right foot...I can't help but speed"...Good Luck with that one!


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Citations - Keeping it all in Perspective

Jan Novak, Associate Director jan.novak@law.csuohio.edu | April 23, 2008 - 10:30

Darby Dickerson, Dean of Stetson University College of Law and author of the ALWD Citation Manual, offers her take on the relative importance of correct citation form in a new article, Reducing Citation Anxiety. Claiming that solid research, writing and analysis trump citation in significance, she offers ten tips or guidelines to help the legal writer keep the fears of citing incorrectly in perspective. She argues for a reasonableness standard, and a balancing of the utility of spending too much time on form over substance. Tip #7 should resonate: "Accept that you will never find the answer to every citation question in a citation manual. Legal citation is an art, not a science." (p.91).

Dickerson, Darby, "Reducing Citation Anxiety" . Scribes Journal, Vol. 11, No. 85, 2007 Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1117085


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