I am heading up the forensics team in a mock trial that we are having after the mock crime scene. There was a murder and the cause of death was blunt force trauma. Does anyone have any information about what I should do when I present my expert witness testimony on blunt force trauma for the trial? Public speaking makes me nervous but if I knew more about what exactly I should talk about and how I should present it I may feel more comfortable. Any help is appreciated.

CaptainForest

You are leading the forensic team. So are you not a witness to be questioned by the Crown (Prosecutor) and Defense attorney?

So I will assume you are the Crown attorney.

Is the class the jury or is it a judge trial? If it’s a jury trial, with the class as jury, try to get them to laugh, but not over the top.


Questions to ask:
Ms. Witness, tell me, how did the victim die?

I see, and do you know who killed the victim?

I see. And how do you know the defendant killed the victim?

(This is where u need to tell me what evidence the witness has)

Fr_Chuck

For experts witness you ask them to state thier name, position and at times have a listing ( in writing) of thier expert status, showing education, other court cases they have testified at. You would either have this read into evidence by the witness to prove he is an expet. You have to prove first to the jury that he is not just a homeless man off the street you brought in, but some who is qualifed to testify.

Next their needs to be photos of the trauma, the medical report and even over all photo of the victim.

And no opinion questions, only yes and now questions, also you prep your witenss before so they know what you are going to ask and can practice answers ( this is real life) with your witnesses.

Also remember you are talking to the jury ( or judge but most mock trials are always infront of a jury for some reason) you are not talking really to the witness, you look at him to make eye contact, but you are showing the jury the evidnece