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Mortgages expert witnesses may consult on mortgage loans, variable rate mortgages, reverse mortgages, conventional mortgages, and mortgage fraud, among other topics. In Is Mortgage Fraud Really Decreasing?, attorney and editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog Rachel Dollar comments on The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network analysis of Mortgage Fraud SAR Filings in 2012. While data shows 25% decine, Ms. Dollar notes that “suspicious activity is often only recognized and reported years after loan origination.” FinCEN news release August 20, 2013:

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today released an analysis of Mortgage Fraud SAR Filings in Calendar Year 2012. FinCEN’s data on suspected mortgage fraud shows that reports declined 25 percent in 2012 (from 92,561 to 69,277) as compared to the previous year. The past three years of suspected mortgage fraud suspicious activity reports (SARs), if counted by the date they were received by FinCEN, accounted for approximately 46 percent of the past decade’s mortgage fraud SARs. However, suspicious activity is often only recognized and reported years after loan origination, after a review of origination documents is prompted by a loan default, repurchase demand, or other factors. As a result, many mortgage fraud SARs are filed much later than the date that the suspicious activity actually began. Thus in 2012, 57 percent of SARs received reported mortgage loan fraud (MLF) activities that started more than 5 years before the SAR was filed.

Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors.

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In Finding the Cream of the Crop: Hiring an Expert Witness construction site expert witness William Gulya, Jr., President & CEO, Middlesex Trenching Company, writes:

There are multiple ways to locate the expert you need, such as referral agencies, online and print directories, and searching by keyword on the Internet. When you find an expert who at first glance seems to be what you are looking for, contact them and delve deeper into his or her qualifications. The responsibility to verify that the expert is qualified and will meet your case needs is yours. Be sure to investigate the background of the expert, and ask for references. Once you have located several names by any of the above methods and have performed your due diligence, how do you decide which expert is really what you are looking for, the right one for you and your particular case?

Interviewing the Expert

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Neurosurgery expert witnesses may opine on neurosurgeons, trauma neurosurgery, neurosurgery standard of care, and spinal surgery. In the news, The New Hampshire Department of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are investigating the use of contaminated surgical equipment which may have exposed patients to the fatal brain disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob. One patient has died and medical records on thirteen others are being researched. While most surgical equipment is sterilized by heat, the World Health Organization recommends the use of a chemical disinfectant for equipment that may have been exposed to the disease.

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Drug abuse expert witnesses may testify on testify on DUI, intoxication, chemical dependence, illicit drugs, and marijuana, as well as related issues. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is investigating the deaths of three people and the hospitalization of 75 others who may have smoked synthetic marijuana. Synthetic cannabis is a psychoactive drug made from natural herbs and then sprayed with synthetic chemicals. the product is marketed as “herbal incense” and “herbal smoking blends.”

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Gunshot wound expert witness Dr. Vincent Dimaio testified in the Phoenix, AZ, trial of former police officer Richard Chrisman. Chrisman is charged with second degree murder in the death of Daniel Rodriguez. Dimaio testified for the defense describing the position of Rodriguez during the shooting and the fact that Rodreguez was high on meth.

The criminalistics expert witness previously testified in the George Zimmerman trial.

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Forensic accounting expert witness William R. Ackerman testified for AEG Live that Michael Jackson was approximately $500 million in debt when he died. In addition to the upkeep on his ranch, spending on art and travel, Jackson’s biggest expense was $30 million in annual debt payments.

William Ackerman, Freeman & MIls, has over twenty years of experience as an auditor and consultant. His consulting experience includes lost earnings, associated with wrongful terminations, wrongful death and personal injury claims

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In Social Networking Research & Investigations, The Legal, Ethical & Evidentiary Issues, social media expert witness Richard B. Harer, V.P. Specialized Investigations, writes:

Examples of Investigative Use

Surveillance cases can benefit immensely by obtaining photos, habits, activities, and other pertinent information on the subject before initiating surveillance. Our firm was hired to conduct surveillance on a recent high profile personal injury case. We found through basic social media research that the subject was self-employed as a trainer at a local gym. His site provided his regular schedule and other upcoming outside training events that he was leading. Needless to say, the surveillance was extremely successful…thanks to the subject, and his social media activities.

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Legal nurse consultant expert witnesses may testify on general nursing, surgical nursing, palliative care, and medical record review, as well as related issues. In “Nurse experts: Are YOU prepared for cross-examination?” by Juris Educational Resource Knowledge guest blogger Lori Combs RN, LNC, writes that “Extensive preparation is needed to ensure the expert is well versed with the case and is prepared for the dreaded cross-examination.”

No matter how well prepared you are to testify as an expert, the cross-examination by the opposing counsel can be intimidating. There are many tricks and techniques the opposing side will utilize to try to discredit you and “poke you full of holes”, but if you can prepare yourself to think how they are going to cross-examine you, you can remain one step ahead and hold your ground.

More: http://www.thejerklnc.com/blog/?p=1673

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Fingerprints expert witness Donald James Faggart Jr. testified in the Davidson County, N.C., murder trial of Phillip Scott Baker. Faggart is special agent in charge with the N.C. State Bureau Crime Laboratory in Greensboro and testified that he found no identifiable fingerprints on the weapon alleged to have killed Chadric Lee Newsome in July 2010. Baker has also been charged with a number of drug-related offenses.