Expert Witness Report Question

………arguably it's a long list. One of the main objectives is to make evidence understandable for non-technical people in court. It should be straight to the point, articulate, and you have to ensure that you can support any statement made with your expertise. Don't stray into areas within the report that you are unsure of. Chances are there may be somebody present who may know a bit more than you, so stay within your own comfort zone. Attach a glossary for all techincal terms within the report or that may come into conversation in your discussion in court. I would also argue that you have formal certifcation for the main equipment that you use, and this would be stated within a brief CV that would be attached to your report.

This is a start and I am sure others will add points )

David

The way it was passed to me was to keep the first few pages as a summary of what your investigation focused on, what you did and brief statement of findings. The following pages supplement and support your findings. As Redcelica67 said you are presenting findings to non-technical people. Clean, concise language - buy the AP Style Guide - http//www.apstylebook.com/ - I read somewhere (and of course now can;t find the source) that the average jury members education level is 8th grade. That is not to be disparaging but a point to know your audience. This reminds be I was going to try to get a blog piece together about this subject with a greater breakdown with examples. Relating your findings is just as important as the investigation.

Way too vague/broad.

Is this for a case, class, work?
What type of case is it?
If work, have you talked with counsel about the report and if they want it?

In the UK these guidelines may be helpful
http//www.justice.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/contents/practice_directions/pd_part35.htm#IDASFFR
Section 3 in particular…

Paul

welshwaynejack,

What type of case is it?

if you mean the requirements relating to the Laws and Regulations for England and Wales (as opposed to e.g. Papua New Guinea), tricah2 point is worthy of considering as to the nature of the case in which an expert report (thus its content) is to be submitted (later (maybe) to be served)

In the UK these guidelines may be helpful
http//www.justice.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/contents/practice_directions/pd_part35.htm#IDASFFR
Section 3 in particular…
Paul

Paul (binarybod) provides one side ot the equation if you are dealing 'Civil'.

If it is 'Criminal' then you may want to look here under Part 33 Expert Evidence - Criminal Procedure Rules that came into force on the 5th April 2010

http//www.justice.gov.uk/criminal/procrules_fin/contents/rules/part_33.htm

As an after thought, welshwaynejack, did you read this thread

http//www.forensicfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2443

My two cents -)

Your report should contain details of what you were asked to do; who asked you to do it; why they asked you do it and what justification exists as to why you are the right person to do it!

Your technical report should - in a narrative style - explain the repeatable steps you took to answer the questions asked and should produce in a straight forward manner as is possible, the relevant and reliable evidence that supports or contradicts any statement made by witnesses who may be called in the case.
It's not your job to have an opinion as an 'expert witness' unless a Court (UK) decides that you are deemed so.

It is rare to have to give expert opinion in most matters dealing with forensic computing as the evidence is factual in the form of raw data. It is common to be asked your opinion on the social aspect of a suspects usage of a computer system and I personally think this is outside of my competency and is taking a liberty with the responsibility put upon us.

Thank you all for the replies. I'm a msc student currently doing a investigation and needed to produce one of these and had not covered this. Thanks again

Check out the Academy of Experts Form of Report. That's what I've butchered and used.