COURTROOM TESTIMONY FOR THE FORENSIC SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL
MAY 23 - 25, 2022 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN
This course has been approved for 24 hours of certification/re-certification training credit in both the IAI Latent Print & Crime Scene Certification Board and 32 hours of re-certification credits for the IAI Footwear Certification Board.
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Instructor:
Shelly Haight Location: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office 531 Park Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55415 Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuition: $459.00 This course is presented in partnership with the International Association for Identification. |
Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Science Professional
This Courtroom Testimony for the Forensic Science Professional's course is designed to instruct proper testimony techniques to forensic science professionals, such as those employed in the fields of crime scene investigations, fingerprint analysis, and laboratory analysis.
Practitioners in these disciplines are frequently called upon to testify in court regarding the techniques, observations, and conclusions undertaken in their work. Often, they are requested to express opinions in their courtroom testimony, which is only possible when they are accepted by the court as expert witnesses. The goal of this course is to provide the students with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to successfully testify in a court of law as a forensic expert witness.
The first step in being accepted as a forensic expert witness is to survive the “voir dire.”
Students will learn how to prepare themselves and the concerned attorney(s) for this important initial step. The course will continue by covering techniques the witness can employ to more effectively explain scientific evidence to the judge and jury.
Concepts covered in the course will be reinforced by practical exercises in which the students will participate.
Course Schedule
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
Exercise 6 - Moot Court
Goals and Objectives
Course Goal:
Upon completion of this class, the student will be able to effectively testify and discuss the role of the expert witness in the courtroom.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course of training, the student will:
This Courtroom Testimony for the Forensic Science Professional's course is designed to instruct proper testimony techniques to forensic science professionals, such as those employed in the fields of crime scene investigations, fingerprint analysis, and laboratory analysis.
Practitioners in these disciplines are frequently called upon to testify in court regarding the techniques, observations, and conclusions undertaken in their work. Often, they are requested to express opinions in their courtroom testimony, which is only possible when they are accepted by the court as expert witnesses. The goal of this course is to provide the students with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to successfully testify in a court of law as a forensic expert witness.
The first step in being accepted as a forensic expert witness is to survive the “voir dire.”
Students will learn how to prepare themselves and the concerned attorney(s) for this important initial step. The course will continue by covering techniques the witness can employ to more effectively explain scientific evidence to the judge and jury.
Concepts covered in the course will be reinforced by practical exercises in which the students will participate.
Course Schedule
DAY 1
- Introduction
- Federal (and local) rules of evidence
- Expert Witness Role
- Exercise 1 - Testifying vs teaching (discussion)
- Daubert Trilogy
- Daubert vs Frye
- Daubert Challenge
- Forensic Science Court Decisions
- President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report and new policy recommendations
- Curriculum Vitae vs Resume
- Exercise 2 - Discuss and write an effective and professional CV
DAY 2
- Criminal vs civil case testimony
- Professional attire and demeanor
- Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic (VARK) Learning type and Juror perspective
- Exercise 3 – Practice the different VARK learning techniques
- Visual Aids importance
- Exercise 4 - Visual Aids (ideas discussion)
- Pretrial conference – Testimony expectations
- Pretrial conference – in limine (off limit) topics
- Preparing for Testimony - Qualifying questions
- Exercise 5 – Qualifying questions (discussion)
- Preparing for Testimony - Direct Examination
- Preparing for Testimony - Cross Examination
- Current Hot topics and publications (Bias, Organization of Scientific Area Committees, Scientific Working Group, PCAST, National Academy of Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science)
- Moot Court preparation
DAY 3
Exercise 6 - Moot Court
Goals and Objectives
Course Goal:
Upon completion of this class, the student will be able to effectively testify and discuss the role of the expert witness in the courtroom.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course of training, the student will:
- Describe the Federal and local rules of evidence
- Discuss the proper role of an expert witness within the judicial system
- Discuss the Daubert trilogy
- Discuss Daubert and Frye and explain how they differ
- Describe a minimum of two significant court cases related to forensic science
- Discuss the impact of the PCAST report
- Create an effective and professional Curriculum Vitae
- Describe the difference between criminal and civil cases
- Describe professional attire and demeanor
- Discuss different learning techniques (VARK) and know how to adjust and teach each to capture the juror’s attention and ensure they understand the scientific concepts
- Discuss the deposition process, pretrial conference and in limine motions
- Demonstrate court ready testimony including professional attire, demeanor, answering qualifying voir dire questions and utilizing visual aids while teaching the jury
- Discuss at least two relevant forensic science biases, hot topics and current events
- Demonstrate techniques learned in course lectures in a mock courtroom setting
LODGING
TBA
TBA
REGISTRATION
To register for this course, please download the Course Registration Form (PDF file). Fill out the form and email the completed PDF file to Phil Sanfilippo at phil@tritechusa.com.
To register for this course, please download the Course Registration Form (PDF file). Fill out the form and email the completed PDF file to Phil Sanfilippo at phil@tritechusa.com.