Courtroom Testimony and Ethics Flashcards

When a defense attorney asks a CSI a question that assumes facts not in evidence, the CSI should:

Answer: Correct the false assumption before answering

A CSI must not allow misleading premises to stand; correcting the assumption preserves accuracy and credibility.

A CSI discovers mid-trial that a piece of evidence was mislabeled in the chain of custody. The ethical obligation is to:

Answer: Notify the prosecutor so the error can be disclosed

Ethical standards require prompt disclosure of chain-of-custody errors regardless of which side it may help or hurt.

The term 'scope of expertise' in expert testimony means a CSI should:

Answer: Only offer opinions within their trained specialization

Courts require experts to limit opinions to areas where they have documented training and experience.

If a CSI is asked during cross-examination 'Isn't it possible that someone else left that fingerprint?' the most appropriate response is:

Answer: 'I can only state what the evidence shows, not speculate on all possibilities.'

A CSI should report findings without overstating certainty or speculating beyond the evidence.

Which behavior constitutes 'dry-labbing' in forensic science?

Answer: Reporting results without actually performing the analysis

Dry-labbing—fabricating or skipping analysis while recording results—is a serious ethical violation that has led to wrongful convictions.

A CSI receives a phone call from a victim's family member asking about case findings before trial. The CSI should:

Answer: Decline and direct them to the prosecutor's office

Disclosing case information outside official channels violates confidentiality protocols and can compromise the trial.

Under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment, a defendant has the right to:

Answer: Cross-examine the analyst who performed forensic testing

The Supreme Court's ruling in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts held that forensic analysts must be available for cross-examination.