Now, more than ever, people are reliant on the internet to communicate with each other and retain some level of normalcy in an uncertain time. From remote work to virtual doctor’s visits, there’s seemingly no facet of our lives that…

In the media, the phrase “forensic linguistics” is usually narrowly applied to document interpretation and author identification. This is probably because of the high-profile criminal cases that have involved writing, including Son of Sam, Zodiac killer, JonBenet Ramsey, and Unabomber.…

Before accepting an expert witness opportunity, however, it’s important to understand the scope of the work and time involved. Here, we’ll walk through several questions to ask before agreeing to serve as an expert witness. 1) The Facts of the…

Litigators often face a tough choice when selecting expert witnesses for a case. Should you work with a first-time expert—that is, someone with the right qualifications but no litigation experience? Or do you go with an experienced expert who has…

These cases may benefit from the presence of an expert witness who can focus on the question of liability. In particularly complex cases, it may be prudent to hire multiple experts—one to focus on causation, and another to focus on…

A successful tort case depends on establishing a few essential legal elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. This third element—causation—can often prove tricky, especially for matters in pharmaceutical product liability and mass toxic tort litigation. In such cases where a…

Presenting expert witness testimony is always a pivotal moment during a trial. Oftentimes, it is the first time that the factfinder hears from a subject matter authority on the more scientific or technical aspects of a case. This is, by…

In the courtroom, psychological assessments can be important components of a compelling argument. From establishing a plaintiff’s pain and suffering in a personal injury case to proving a defendant’s mental state during a crime, outlining psychological facts can offer critical…

Federal Rule 702 establishes that a witness who is qualified as an expert on the basis of knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if: The expert’s scientific, technical, or other…

While establishing guidelines for what can be admitted at trial, Rule 703 does create an opportunity for using inadmissible evidence. In particular, this opportunity has been the subject of both praise and scrutiny over the years. Inadmissible evidence can be…