Specialists (experts) of any sort may be called up to assist the legal system as a direct result of their professional knowledge, training or experience. They may be drawn from a wide range of disciplines or occupations.

Specialist fields can be thought of as analogous to football codes – soccer, rugby, Australian rules, Gaelic, gridiron, even Auskick. There are many differences between the codes but there are also many similarities – two teams with equal numbers of players on the field at any one time, trying to kick a ball between two poles (sometimes with a cross bar or a net). The principles are the same even if there are differences between the codes.

The legal system, on the other hand, can be thought of in terms of cricket – Test, limited overs, 20:20. Again the principles are the same although there are differences between the codes. Two teams – one with two players on the field, the other with the full side. The aim is to hit a bowled ball using a wooden bat, protect the wicket and score by running between the wickets at each end of the pitch.

It is clear that there are major variations between football and cricket. The rules are poles apart. Neither set is right nor wrong; they are just different.

And so it is when a specialist works in the legal system – both specialists and legal practitioners need to understand that they are governed by different rules, and each needs to understand the other’s.

And to further complicate matters – the jury has come to watch tennis!

The specialist knowledge may be:

• gained through formal qualifications, training and/or experience
• a one-off occurrence or service that is being offered.

The person or organisation may be:

• entering the forensic arena
• looking to broaden and deepen their skills.