2020 Expert Witness Virtual Symposium |
Given the global impact of COVID-19, the OACP Substance Advisory Committee has decided to move the 2020 OACP Expert Witness Symposium from an in-person experience to an virtual online training event in the fall of 2020. This virtual forum will allow us to provide updates and refresher material to the existing Experts in the field of drugs in order to keep them current in the latest trends and developments. The 2020 OACP Expert Witness Virtual Symposium will consist of two – 90 minute virtual WebEx sessions that will cover updates on the law and emerging issues within the drug trade.
As the Chair and Co Chairs of the OACP Substance Advisory Committee we wish to welcome all participants to the 2020 Expert Witness Symposium held virtually for the first time due to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in.
We thank you in advance for your contributions to this extremely challenging field. Experts must present fair and objective testimony and articulate this to the court based on their knowledge, skills and expertise around the subject matter.
Our goal is to provide you with training that supports experts with the latest information you will need to be successful in the prosecution of those persons involved in serious drug offences.
The subject matter experts providing this training are from various government, medical and law enforcement agencies.
Rachel Huggins, Executive Lead - Cannabis (OPP)
Detective Inspector Jim Walker (OPP)
Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson (Peterborough Police Service)
Session #1: Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 – 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Update on the Law of Expert Evidence – Carolyn Hayes, Deputy Chief Federal Prosecutor, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Expert witnesses have special obligations and are governed by different rules than other witnesses. This session will provide an update on the law governing expert witnesses, with a focus on:
- The expert witness’ duty to the court;
- Independence, and what it means for an investigator;
- The scope of expert evidence; and
- Limits on what an expert can provide an opinion.
Session #2: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 – 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Update on Drugs and Emerging Issues – Detective Staff Sergeant Lee Fulford, Ontario Provincial Police and Inspector Craig Hudson, Durham Regional Police Service.
- Major-Pre-COVID drug trends and pandemic drug trends in relation to cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
- Minor-Current drug trends for Ecstasy (MDMA/MDA/MDEA/TFMPP/BZP) and prescription drugs.
- Health Canada Drug Analysis Section Data trends.
- Community Impact Statements
- Overdose Experts (Criminal Negligence causing death, manslaughter, murder)
Registration:
Registration is FREE. Only those that register to attend will be permitted access. The symposium will be held via Cisco WebEx. A joining link will be sent to all registered participants.