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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

  1. A CSI who works for a law enforcement agency but testifies in court is best described as which type of witness?

    Answer: Expert witness

    A CSI presents specialized knowledge gained through training and experience, qualifying them as an expert witness under FRE 702.

  2. During testimony, the opposing attorney shows the CSI a scientific journal article that contradicts their methodology. The best response is to:

    Answer: Acknowledge the article, evaluate whether it applies, and explain any distinctions

    Engaging with scientific literature transparently, including explaining why it may or may not apply, demonstrates intellectual honesty.

  3. A CSI is testifying about DNA evidence. The defense asks about the lab's last failed proficiency test. The CSI should:

    Answer: Provide accurate information about the lab's testing history

    Lab accreditation and proficiency history are relevant to the reliability of results and must be answered honestly.

  4. The ethical duty to avoid 'advocate science' means a forensic expert should:

    Answer: Present findings objectively even if they undermine the hiring party's case

    Advocate science — tailoring conclusions to benefit the retaining side — is an ethical violation that corrupts the justice system.

  5. When a court asks a CSI to provide a curriculum vitae (CV), the purpose is to:

    Answer: Establish the basis for qualifying the CSI as an expert

    Courts use the CV to assess whether education, training, and experience qualify the witness to offer expert opinions in the relevant area.

  6. If a CSI realizes post-trial that their testimony contained a material factual error, the ethical obligation is to:

    Answer: Notify the appropriate supervisors and legal authorities so corrective action can be taken

    Post-trial discovery of material errors must be reported through official channels because it can affect appeals, wrongful convictions, or pending related cases.

  7. Which standard governs the admissibility of forensic expert testimony in states that have not adopted the Federal Rules of Evidence?

    Answer: Frye general acceptance standard

    The Frye standard, requiring that a scientific method be 'generally accepted' in the relevant scientific community, is still used in several states instead of Daubert.