NCJ Number
177833
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 85 Dated: February 1999 Pages: 34-39
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the need for lawyers to have at least a basic knowledge of certain areas of science and technology.
Abstract
The article contains several primers on various aspects of science and law to help lawyers acquire a working knowledge of the topic. The first section concerns information technology and advises lawyers to become familiar with digital technology and its uses in computers and telecommunications. The application of medical facts to determine causation is one of the basic medical areas a lawyer should be familiar with in order to succeed in personal injury litigation. Environmental cases often rely heavily on scientific evidence. The challenge to the lawyer is to become familiar with a wide range of fields, possibly including chemical analysis, environmental chemistry, epidemiology and toxicology. Finally, lawyers should learn more about professions such as engineering and science. They must understand enough about an expert’s reasoning and methodology to explain their deficiencies to a judge and jury.