ABSTRACT
Forensic science is any science as it applies to legal matters; for example, forensic entomology is the study of insects as they apply to legal matters. Fingerprint examiners testify to their analyses and conclusions as expert witnesses. An expert witness knows more than a lay witness about a particular subject due to extensive training, experience, and education. Unlike lay witnesses, expert witnesses testify to their opinions. The effective expert witness, and thus the effective forensic scientist, must be able to educate the layperson about his or her science. It is important to practice teaching techniques and understand the qualities of an effective teacher. This chapter addresses the three phases of expert testimony: qualifying questioning, direct examination, and cross-examination. The laboratory exercises associated with this chapter include preparing a professional, court-ready curriculum vitae (CV), preparing qualifying questions in a mock pretrial conference, and participating in a full moot court exercise.
