Courtroom Testimony and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI 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 Ethics flashcards as text
Which document primarily governs the ethical conduct of forensic science practitioners in the United States at the professional association level?
Answer: The American Academy of Forensic Sciences Code of Ethics
The AAFS Code of Ethics sets professional standards including honesty, impartiality, and proper reporting for forensic practitioners.
If a CSI is asked to alter a photograph to 'enhance' a feature before presenting it in court without disclosure, the CSI should:
Answer: Refuse and report the request to a supervisor
Undisclosed image manipulation is evidence tampering and an ethical violation regardless of the intended outcome.
The phrase 'to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty' in expert testimony means:
Answer: The opinion is grounded in accepted methodology and reliable data
This legal phrase signals that the expert's opinion meets the threshold of scientific validity, not absolute certainty.
A CSI testifies that blood spatter indicates a beating when training only covered shooting reconstructions. This is an example of:
Answer: Overreaching outside qualified expertise
Offering opinions outside areas of documented training violates the boundaries of expert witness roles and may result in exclusion.
When preparing for cross-examination, a CSI should review:
Answer: All notes, lab reports, photographs, and chain-of-custody records from the case
Comprehensive review of all case documentation ensures the CSI can respond accurately and consistently to any line of questioning.
A CSI is subpoenaed by the defense. The CSI's obligation is to:
Answer: Provide truthful testimony regardless of which side called them
A forensic expert's duty is to truth and the court, not to a particular side — the same testimony standards apply regardless of who issues the subpoena.
Which of the following is an example of exculpatory evidence that a forensic analyst must disclose?
Answer: A fingerprint on the weapon that does not match the defendant
Under Brady v. Maryland, exculpatory evidence — including forensic findings that undermine the prosecution's theory — must be disclosed to the defense.