Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses
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Transcript of Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses
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Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses
Michael DeBlis III, Esq.
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Rule 702. Testimony by Experts
• If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case
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FRYE and DAUBERT tests
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The “Sniffer” Machine • Dr. Vass and his laboratory stand to make a fortune selling
their contraption of a smell machine to law enforcement across the country. If this judge allows it in the case, many people including Dr. Vass stand to make a lot of money. Never before has a judge allowed it, but these people know that they have a damn good chance with this particular judge allowing this machine to be used in trial. Once Vass’s machine is used in trial, it validates and elevates the value of Vass’s invention. He and the lab can then sell it to every police department in the nation. When that happens, they are off to the races with the U.S. Patent Office with Dr. Vass’s machine.
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What does all this mean to us in a courtroom?
• Expansion of pre-trial motions• Expansion of voir dire of experts• Real investigation of the science and the
scientist
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Challenging the expert
• Either as to his or her credentials• The "expertise" itself• Use MOTIONS– You might not be able to keep out the testimony,
but you may be able to limit it
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Don’t ignore investigating and challenging the expert
• Challenging the credentials• Three types of experts– Highly trained– On-the-job – Dubious training/dubious area
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Strategy Considerations
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Preparation of expert cross
• Learn something about the area– Inbau & Moensens, Scientific Evidence in Criminal
Cases • Use the phone• Get TRANSCRIPTS• Research– College texts– Read everything their expert has written
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Interview the Expert Yourself
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Experts and Language
• Learn theirs• Learn to translate for jury• Don't patronize
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Basic Principles
• Normal principles of cross apply• Extensive preparation essential• Only ask leading questions• One fact per question• Never ask a question to which you do not
know the answer• Develop a system with that you are
comfortable with
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Special Problems When Witness Is an Expert
• Witness is an expert in the field – you are not• Witness is more difficult to control than a lay
witness• Witness is likely well-educated and articulate• Witness is experienced at courtroom
testimony
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Examples of Cross-Examination of Experts
• Forensic Pathologist in State v. Morehead• Radiologist in State v. Carey• Shaken baby syndrome experts in State v.
Carey
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Forensic Pathologist
• State v. Morehead (client accused of strangling grandmother)– Defense was that grandmother died of heart
failure– Cross-examination of medical examiner was
critical to outcome– Examples of controlling the witness and learning
the terminology
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Experts on the Shaken Baby Syndrome
• State v. Carey (client accused of shaking 5-month old baby causing brain damage)– Multiple expert witnesses for the state– Cross of radiologist who reviewed CAT scan and
MRI– Cross of non-treating outside expert on Shaken
Baby Syndrome
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Cross-Examination
• What should jury feel about witness when you are done?– Is this good science? – Can they trust the witness?– Can they trust the evidence?– Can they rely on the evidence?
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Examine Bias
• Who do they testify for?• Follow the money• Membership in groups• Built-in personal bias
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Challenging the result
• Things not done cross• Result is not OBJECTIVE• Levels of certainty
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Use demonstrative aids
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Cross by learned treatise
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The Ten Principles of Preparation for Cross of an Expert
• (1) Identify opinions that have to be challenged
• (2) Assemble all materials needed for cross-examination
• (3) Obtain complete CV of opposing expert• (4) Research expert’s prior testimony• (5) Investigate allegations of mistake or
misconduct
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The Ten Principles of Preparation for Cross of an Expert
• (6) Research treatises and articles pertinent to the subject matter
• (7) Retain an expert• (8) Meet with opposing expert before trial• (9) Learn the pertinent terminology in the
subject matter• (10) Develop a system to organize your cross-
examination
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