Testifying As an Expert Witness Discussion

This final conference deals with the final issue any computer forensics examiner, or any other witness toan event will face – testifying under oath to what you know. Each person who testifies is a witness and as
we discussed several weeks ago will present testimonial evidence. As an expert witness, which is how a
computer forensic examiner will be generally be presented, you are not providing eye-witness testimony
to a crime, but are testifying about what you as an expert found or did not find during your collection,
preservation, and examination of physical evidence.
When you testify on behalf of the government (normally this would be a prosecutor or district attorney),
or could be the defense counsel, you will first testify on direct examination – that means the attorney
who called you to the stand has to lay certain groundwork to get your testimony about your
examination of the evidence before the jury as an expert (known as Voir Dire). Once the preliminary
questions have been asked and answered, the attorney handling the direct examination will then turn
over examination to the defense. This is often done before you are allowed to answer questions about
the actual evidence or case before the court.
The reason this is done in this matter is that you are first being presented to the court as an expert in
some field. The opposing counsel gets to cross-examine you (Voir Dire) to try to defeat your being
named as an expert. In cases where you have already been determined to be an expert by the court on
previous occasions and testimony, there is less of a chance the opposing counsel will be successful in
discrediting your testimony admissible as an expert. But, for a new examiner, the first couple of times
before the court will be more demanding as to your expertise.
After both sides had a chance to question your bone fides as an expert, the counsel wishing you to be
accepted will make a motion that you be accepted as an expert. Once that is complete, you will be asked
about the matter at hand, and will testify to your collection, preservation, and examination of physical
evidence. This is also where the opposing counsel will be especially alert for any weakness or
contradictions in your testimony.
For this week’s discussion, complete the following questions below in detail. Please discuss
thoroughly and substantively in your post. Additionally, respond in a thorough, substantive,
intelligent way to at least one of your fellow classmates that adds to our discussion and learning of
this week’s topic!
1) What are some questions you think that you would be asked initially on direct examination being
qualified to testify as an expert?
2) What kind of questions do you think the opposing counsel during Voir Dire will ask you? Remember
on cross examination, opposing counsel can ask leading questions to challenge your expertise.
3) Describe why it is important, and how you would testify to limit any contradictions?