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
