ETC Courtroom Testimony & Legal Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real ETC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ETC Courtroom Testimony & Legal Procedures flashcards as text
When an evidence technician testifies in court, what is the primary purpose of their testimony?
Answer: To present factual observations and technical findings objectively without offering opinions beyond their expertise
An evidence technician testifies as a fact witness or limited expert, presenting objective observations and technical findings relevant to how evidence was collected and processed.
What is the Frye standard in relation to scientific evidence admissibility?
Answer: Scientific evidence is admissible if the methodology is generally accepted in the relevant scientific community
The Frye standard holds that scientific techniques must be generally accepted by the relevant scientific community to be admissible; some states still use Frye while federal courts use Daubert.
Under the Daubert standard, what factors does a judge consider to admit scientific evidence?
Answer: Whether the theory is testable, peer-reviewed, has a known error rate, and is generally accepted in the field
Daubert (adopted by federal courts) requires judges to evaluate testability, peer review, known error rate, and general acceptance in the relevant scientific community.
What is a subpoena duces tecum and how does it relate to an evidence technician's duties?
Answer: A court order requiring the technician to produce specific records, reports, or physical evidence for court
A subpoena duces tecum commands a person to bring specific documents or evidence to court; evidence technicians may receive one requiring them to produce reports, chain of custody records, or physical exhibits.
Before testifying, an evidence technician should review which documents to prepare for court?
Answer: Their written reports, chain of custody forms, photographs, and any notes taken at the time of collection
Reviewing original reports, chain of custody records, photographs, and contemporaneous notes ensures the technician's testimony is accurate and consistent with documented findings.
What should an evidence technician do if they are asked a question in court that they do not know the answer to?
Answer: Honestly state 'I don't know' rather than speculating or guessing
Saying 'I don't know' when genuinely uncertain is the only appropriate response; speculation or guessing in court can damage credibility and the validity of evidence.