ABSTRACT

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN COURT In Line v Taylor [1862], a dog was brought into court to display its good temper. Before defendants in criminal trials are allowed to give evidence, the jury might take into account their reactions in the dock at various stages of the trial (AG for New South Wales v Bertrand [1867]). The demeanour of a witness has traditionally been regarded as relevant to credibility (Teper v R [1952]). The resemblance of a child, produced to the court, to a person alleged to be its father has been held to be some evidence of parentage (C v C and C [1972]).