Expert Witness Testimony
(25 points)
This assignment will be conducted in conjunction with the group case presentations. Each case presentation will be 15 minutes in length and will present a summary of the forensic case analyzed over the course of the semester. Your presentation will focus on the analytical techniques applied, conclusions reached, and interpretations of the conclusions reached; you are encouraged to highlight an interesting and unique aspect of your case (i.e., cause of death; challenging circumstances). Visuals of some sort (Power Point, overheads, slides, drawings) are required and will facilitate an understanding of your case by the appreciative audience.
Following each case presentation, a cross-examination of the consulting forensic anthropologists will take place by a team of attorneys. Professor Myster will determine the team responsible for cross-examination of each forensic anthropology team. The cross-examination will focus on a limited aspect (or a couple of aspects) of the forensic case. Groups conducting the cross-examination must inform the professor of the focus of their questioning no later than Wednesday morning, December 11 so that we do not have a lot of duplication of questions. Each member of the cross-examination team and each member of the forensic anthropology consulting team must ask and answer questions for this assignment.
Miscellaneous information:
- each forensic anthropology consulting team must provide opposing counsel with a draft report no later than the beginning of class on Tuesday, December 10.
- Each team of attorneys must inform the professor of the focus of their cross-examination no later than 12:30 on Wednesday, December 11; topics go on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- A list of questions to be asked must be submitted to Professor Myster on the day of the cross-examination – before it begins.
- Each team will be graded on their presentation of the forensic case, their effectiveness in answering questions during cross-examination, and the quality of the questions asked during cross-examination.