The DIY of DNA: Exoneration Through DNA Evidence
This presentation might be the first time you’re able to truly grasp the fundamentals of DNA evidence. This critical presentation blends real-world storytelling with clear, practical instruction—making DNA evidence finally feel accessible, even to non-scientists—while inspiring attorneys to dig deeper, ask smarter questions, and approach forensic science with newfound confidence. You’ll walk through one of the most infamous and mishandled DNA-driven prosecutions in recent history—the Duke Lacrosse case. This session is not just a recounting of scandal; it’s a masterclass in how to confront and dismantle complex forensic evidence when your client’s life or liberty is at stake.
Drawing from firsthand experience, you’ll learn how to identify and interpret electropherograms, understand autosomal vs. Y-STR testing, and recognize the limits of DNA evidence—particularly when it involves partial or mixed samples. With compelling clarity, this session takes lawyers step-by-step through what they need to know to evaluate DNA results, even if they have no scientific background. You’ll uncover the real-world challenges of obtaining full discovery, what to look for in lab reports, and why requesting lab protocols, raw data, and chain of custody records can make or break your case.
With over 200+ pages of written materials and the inclusion of actual motions, transcripts, electropherograms, lab reports and visual timelines, you’ll follow the progression of the case and visualize how the DNA evidence unfolded—and was ultimately dismantled.
Attorney Bradley J. Bannon is a Partner with Patterson Harkavy, focusing on criminal defense and criminal appeals, civil rights, and professional licensing defense. Before joining the firm in 2016, he spent 20 years at the prestigious law firm of Cheshire Parker Schneider. In state and federal court, Brad has represented people from all walks of life, accused of everything from speeding to white collar crimes to first-degree murder. Not many attorneys have film credits to their name. However, Brad’s work has been featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary film Fantastic Lies, Episode 10 of the Netflix documentary series The Staircase, and the 48 Hours documentary episode A Killer Defense. Brad is often asked to speak to other lawyers and to law students about his areas of practice. He has presented on criminal defense, forensic science, legal ethics, and DSS investigations in nine states and the District of Columbia. He has lectured on those topics at all of North Carolina’s law schools, the UNC School of Government, and the New Prosecutors School of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. He has also written various articles on those subjects. Brad was an active member of the leadership of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice for more than a decade, serving on the Board (2007-2019), on the Executive Committee (2013-2019), and as President (2017-2018). He won the organization’s Ebbie Award in 2005 and has participated in drafting legislation that preserved and strengthened North Carolina’s open-file discovery laws and other protections for the criminally accused. Brad is also particularly well-versed in legal ethics issues. In 2022, he served his eighth year as an Advisory Member of the North Carolina State Bar Ethics Committee. This experience enhances his ability to carefully assess ethical questions and professional misconduct allegations, and to advise and zealously defend lawyers when they face them. He served on the Board of Directors of North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services from 2008 to 2017, serving as President from 2010-2016. In 2023, he accepted an invitation to rejoin the Board, where he currently serves as an at-large member. Brad is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized in Best Lawyers In America, SuperLawyers, and Business North Carolina Legal Elite. Brad grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and went to Socastee High School, followed by undergraduate school at the University of South Carolina in Columbia and law school at Campbell University in North Carolina. When he is not working, and even when he is working, he enjoys spending time with his dogs.
CLE State Accreditation
- General 1.00
- General CLE-HI: 1.00
- General CLE-SD: 1.00
- General CLE-NY: 1.20
- General CLE-CA: 1.00
- General CLE-IL: 1.00
- General CLE-AK: 1.00
- General CLE-MD: 1.00
- General CLE-VT: 1.00
- General CLE-MA: 1.00
- General CLE-DC: 1.00
- General CLE-ND: 1.00
- General CLE-OR: 1.00
- General CLE-WA: 1.00
- General CLE-CT: 1.00
- General CLE-NH: 1.00
- General CLE-FL: 1.20
- General CLE-VI: 1.00
- General CLE-AZ: 1.00
CLE State Accreditation:
- General 1.00
- General CLE-HI: 1.00
- General CLE-SD: 1.00
- General CLE-NY: 1.20
- General CLE-CA: 1.00
- General CLE-IL: 1.00
- General CLE-AK: 1.00
- General CLE-MD: 1.00
- General CLE-VT: 1.00
- General CLE-MA: 1.00
- General CLE-DC: 1.00
- General CLE-ND: 1.00
- General CLE-OR: 1.00
- General CLE-WA: 1.00
- General CLE-CT: 1.00
- General CLE-NH: 1.00
- General CLE-FL: 1.20
- General CLE-VI: 1.00
- General CLE-AZ: 1.00