Arizona Supreme Court announced a new partnership with Arizona State University to create the Center for Forensic Science and Psychology. The Center will help to deliver a streamlined and efficient process for conducting essential research in forensics and mental health and putting it to practice in courts across Arizona.
A first of its kind in the nation, the Center demonstrates the Arizona’s Supreme Court’s commitment for continued innovation and leadership by addressing timely issues to help improve the judicial system and criminal justice practices in Arizona.
The Arizona Supreme Court Center for Forensic Science and Psychology was unveiled by Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel during the Court’s annual leadership conference. In his remarks, Chief Justice Brutinel reinforced the Center’s mission that “promises to examine and disseminate the most up-to-date understanding, training, and application of forensic science and forensic psychology as applied to various case types.” Chief Justice Brutinel is an avid champion for addressing better methods of dealing with those with mental health issues who enter the criminal justice system. The new Center aligns with all five of the goals outlined in his Justice for the Future: Planning for Excellence strategic agenda.
“One of the main goals of the Center is to decrease the time it takes for new knowledge discovered by academics to be implemented in the justice system,” said Dave Byers, director of the Arizona’s Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts.
The Court’s partnership with ASU will also ensure courts are apprised of new developments in forensic science and the law, allowing for continued educational training for Arizona’s 600 judicial officers during annual events. It will also help modernize current trainings and initiatives the court offers.
Both the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona State University are ready to begin the groundbreaking work from the new partnership.
“The Arizona Supreme Court is honored to expand on its existing collaboration with Arizona State University in the area of forensics and mental health in the justice system through ASU’s new Future of Forensic Sciences Initiative,” said Jennifer Albright, director of the new Supreme Court Center. “Both ASU and the Arizona judiciary are well recognized as leaders in innovation and a partnership between the Arizona Supreme Court’s Center for Forensic Science and Psychology and ASU’s FFSI will have positive impacts across the state.”
“ASU New College is proud to partner with the Arizona Supreme Court as it launches the Center for Forensic Science and Psychology,” said Todd Sandrin, dean of New College and vice provost of ASU’s West campus. “This new initiative has the potential to have profound and positive effects on the justice system in Arizona by putting forensic science and forensic psychology at the forefront. Our faculty and students are innovators in the forensics, and through this partnership, they will have the opportunity to lend their expertise and services to the highest court in Arizona. I commend all of the faculty, staff and collaborators whose hard work and dedication to excellence made this possible.”
As the Center begins its work, it will focus on creating its collaborative model for identifying opportunities of need for the courts and the academic program.
Efforts to create the Arizona Supreme Court Center for Forensic Science and Psychology were led by Dave Byers, director of the Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts and Don Jacobson, special projects consultant of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Jennifer Albright has been tapped to lead the Center as director.
