Saks will sit on a panel, "Examples of Forensics Evidence and Scientific Issues of Concern," on Thursday, May 6. The conference will focus on the 2009 National Academy of Sciences report, "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward," a sweeping critique of evidence used by police and prosecutors to convict defendants which contained controversial recommendations to substantially change the field.
In April 2009, Saks co-chaired the College of Law's national conference, "Forensic Science for the 21st Century: The National Academy of Sciences Report and Beyond," one of the first major responses to the report.
Saks is a Regents' Professor of Law and Psychology, and a Faculty Fellow in the College of Law's Center for Law, Science & Innovation. His research focuses on empirical studies of the legal system, especially decision-making, the behavior of the litigation system, and the law's use of science. Saks is the fourth most-cited law-and-social-science scholar in the U.S., and has authored approximately 200 articles and books. Courses he has taught include criminal law, evidence, law and science, property and torts.