Matt Wiese, prosecutor, Marquette County

MARQUETTE — Matthew J. Wiese of Marquette, the prosecuting attorney for Marquette County, has been appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s new Task Force on Forensic Science.

“A fair trial is at the core of the American criminal justice system,” Whitmer said in a news release. “While forensic science is an important tool, misapplication of forensic science can deprive a person of a fair trial. We must ensure that Michigan adheres to the highest standards of evidence, and that practitioners throughout our criminal justice system understand how to apply forensic science properly.” 

The task force will be an advisory body nested within the Michigan Department of State Police and be composed of medical practitioners, legal professionals, government officials, academics, private sector experts and representatives from the Michigan State Police, Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Attorney General’s office.  

The task force’s mission is to review the state of forensic science in Michigan and deliver their completed findings and policy recommendations to the governor no later than Dec. 31. The findings will recommend, among other things, methodology improvements, processes to address misconduct, and procedures to update stakeholders on developments in forensic science. 

 Wiese holds a bachelor of science degree from Northern Michigan University and a juris doctor degree from Vermont Law School.

Wiese is appointed to represent a prosecuting attorney for a term that commenced Friday and will expire on Dec. 31.