Why you?
- Do you examine or cross-examine experts?
- Are you across the subject matter?
- Do you know what you need to ask?
- Do you need an expert to review another expert’s findings?
‘Examining and cross examining expert witnesses is something that as advocates many of us dread or dreaded’ Hon Mrs Justice Heather Hallet DBE
Workshops
Forensic Foundations provides one or two day workshops for legal practitioners.
Since 2008 we have assisted many lawyers with 95% positive feedback.
Workshops are tailored to the needs and experience of the participants – no two workshops are identical.
Some of the workshops we conduct are:
Forensic Biology for Legal Practitioners
Seminars
Seminars differ from workshops in that they are shorter in duration and are less interactive – although questions are encouraged.
Seminars and speakers can be arranged for any group on topics including:
- Forensic science generally
- Sub disciplines of forensic science e.g. DNA, Fingerprints, Crime scene examination
- The interface of science and law
- Application of statistics to forensic science
- Quality management
Case Review / Consultancy
Forensic Foundations can provide advice or a consultancy service including case review with respect to DNA testing for both civil and criminal matters.
We are also able to refer you to experts in other fields.
Forensic Foundation is cognizant with and abides with the HARMONISED EXPERT WITNESS CODE OF CONDUCT including the General Duties to the Court
An expert witness is not an advocate for a party and has a paramount duty, overriding any duty to the party to the proceedings or other person retaining the expert witness, to assist the Court impartially on matters relevant to the area of expertise of the witness.
Management of Expert Witness(es)
You use experts because of their expertise in a particular field. However, they may not be experts in being expert witnesses and all that entails.
Whilst there is a common law prohibition against coaching or training of witnesses, There is an exception (found in MOMODOU, Henry; LIMANI, Beher [2005] EWCA Crim 177 at 62).
Forensic Foundations offers individual training /support for experts called to wrote reports and/or give evidence. This training will not cover case specific issues but will cover the general issues and concerns experience by those about to give evidence.
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Photos: County Court of Victoria. Used with permission.
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