| Westrick Professors Bring CSI Detroit to LSSU |
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| Written by Kayla Robertson | ||||
| Friday, 12 October 2007 | ||||
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This past summer Professor Aaron Westrick and his sister, Professor Judy Westrick served as expert witnesses in a homicide case in Detroit. The defendant fired an AK-47 near a government building and was convicted of murder. Professor Aaron Westrick was asked to give his expert testimony on ballistic evidence and Professor Judy Westrick was asked to testify based on her extensive expertise in the analysis of DNA.
Dr. Aaron Westrick is an expert in ballistics, armor, use of force, police policy, and crisis intervention. He has been testifying as an expert for nine years, but has spent the past fifteen years looking at cases. He began by defending police officers in court who may have shot a suspect or used other means of force. He then began to testify in relation to shooting analysis. He has served as a full-time officer in both Macomb and Oakland counties but is now teaching full-time at Lake State. Some of his fondest memories include speaking on various topics across the country. He reports Florida L.E.G.A.L. (Florida’s Law Enforcement Gays and Lesbians) was the most responsive, intelligent group he has spoken to. He also enjoys speaking to the Chief of Police Group even thought it is their policies he often has to speak against in court. “…being a recognized expert shows that I’ve moved up the academic ladder,” says Dr. Aaron Westrick when asked about his favorite part of being an expert. Dr. Judy Westrick is an expert in forensic chemistry. She is relatively new to testifying in court as an expert, but has a long history of reviewing government documents. In fact, this past week she was in Washington interpreting the DNA of algae. Expert testimony is very important to the legal system. Dr. Aaron Westrick said that he was unsure of the outcome of the case because that is not his concern. Roughly twice a month, Dr. Aaron Westrick is presented with a case file. He reviews the facts and reports his opinion to the attorney. Most of the time he never hears back from the attorney because his opinion conflicts with the case. Because of the possibility of corruption, it is required that an expert is paid before they testify to try to ensure that their statements are in no way influenced by bribery.  Add as favourites (0)
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