Courtroom Testimony and Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CFN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Courtroom Testimony and Procedures flashcards as text
A forensic nurse is testifying when the judge sustains an objection to a question that has already been partially answered. The nurse should:
Answer: Stop immediately and await further instruction from the judge
When a judge sustains an objection, testimony must cease immediately; the judge may instruct the jury to disregard what was said.
Which ethical obligation must a forensic nurse maintain when retained by the defense rather than the prosecution?
Answer: Provide objective, unbiased, and scientifically accurate testimony regardless of which side retained her
Expert witnesses owe their primary duty to the court and the truth, not to the retaining party, regardless of which side has engaged them.
The Frye standard for admissibility of expert testimony requires that the scientific method used be:
Answer: Generally accepted within the relevant scientific community
The Frye standard, used in some jurisdictions, holds that scientific evidence is admissible only if the underlying methodology is generally accepted by the relevant scientific community.
A forensic nurse who testifies falsely while under oath may face which consequence?
Answer: Criminal charges for perjury in addition to professional disciplinary action
Perjury is a criminal offense, and a forensic nurse who lies under oath may face criminal prosecution as well as licensure sanctions and reputational damage.
When a forensic nurse is asked to estimate the age of injuries based on wound characteristics, she should express this finding as:
Answer: An estimate within a range, noting the limitations of injury dating
Injury aging is inherently imprecise; responsible testimony acknowledges the range of estimates and the variables that affect wound appearance over time.
Which scenario best illustrates a forensic nurse exceeding her scope as an expert witness?
Answer: Opining that the defendant intended to cause harm based on the injury pattern
Determining intent is a legal conclusion reserved for the finder of fact (jury or judge); a forensic nurse may describe physical findings but should not opine on the alleged perpetrator's mental state or intent.
A forensic nurse receives a subpoena duces tecum. This requires her to:
Answer: Produce specific documents or records in addition to or instead of appearing to testify
A subpoena duces tecum (literally 'bring with you') compels the witness to produce specified documents, records, or other tangible evidence.