Expert Witness Blog
Thinking about becoming an expert witness? A logical first step is to figure out your area of expertise. Slate.com writes:
According to the Federal Rules of Evidence, an expert witness can be anyone with special “knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education.” An expert can testify under the following conditions: The testimony must be based on sufficient facts or data; the testimony must be the product of reliable principles and methods; and the witness must have applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case. In general, expert witnesses are called in when “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue.”
Always keep in mind that an expert witness must pass the Daubert test. Trial judges evaluate expert witnesses to determine whether their testimony is relevant and reliable. You must demonstrate that the evidence you present as an expert fits the facts of the case and your conclusions were derived from scientific methods.