Criminal Justice Scholars as Expert Witnesses: a Descriptive Analysis (From Expert Witnesses, P 62-72, 1987, Patrick R Anderson and L Thomas Winfree, Jr, eds. -- See NCJ-112768)

• NCJ Number: 112771
• Author(s): L T Winfree; P R Anderson
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: State University of New York Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report on a survey of 120 criminal justice scholars who have engaged in expert witness activity examines educational background, experience, purposes for appearing as witnesses, areas of expertise, and fees charged.

Abstract

The average expert in the study was a 45-year-old man who had earned a doctorate and taught in a university setting. He had prior line experience, probably in local or state law enforcement. Over two-thirds described their expert witness work as private consultation. Experience as an expert witness varied widely, with approximately half the respondents reporting involvement in one to five cases. The personal-biographical characteristics of the experts had little effect on how they saw their work, how much experience they had, how much they were paid, or the direction of their orientation towards expert witnessing. Prior time on the witness stand, during which one is qualified as an expert by a judge and counsel, yielded more insights into the expert witness experience than any other single factor. Tables and 3 footnotes.