Legal Definitions - forensic testimony

Forensic testimony refers to the evidence presented in court by a qualified expert who uses their specialized scientific or technical knowledge to help judges and juries understand complex facts relevant to a legal case. This expert analysis is based on scientific principles and methodologies applied to evidence found at a crime scene or related to a dispute.

Here are some examples illustrating forensic testimony:

• In a criminal trial for a burglary, a forensic DNA analyst might provide testimony explaining how DNA samples collected from the crime scene match the defendant's DNA. The analyst would detail the scientific methods used for DNA extraction, amplification, and comparison, and explain the statistical probability of such a match. This testimony helps the jury understand the scientific evidence linking the defendant to the crime.

• During a civil lawsuit following a complex multi-vehicle collision, an accident reconstruction expert could offer forensic testimony. This expert, often an engineer, would analyze physical evidence like skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions, along with witness statements, to scientifically determine the sequence of events, vehicle speeds, and points of impact. Their testimony helps the court understand the physics of the crash and assign fault.

• In a case involving alleged corporate espionage, a digital forensics specialist might provide testimony regarding data recovered from company computers. The specialist would explain the process of securely extracting deleted files, emails, and browsing history, detailing the chain of custody for digital evidence and what the recovered data reveals about unauthorized access or data transfer. This expert testimony helps the court understand the technical evidence of digital wrongdoing.