Course Summary

This course is designed to familiarize students with court system organization, courtroom terminology and procedures, preparation of materials and method of disclosure, pretrial conferences and interviews, proper demeanor and attire and carriage of self during testimony. This training class has been approved by the IAI Latent Print, Crime Scene and Ten print Certification Boards for 8 hours of certification or recertification credits.

Expectations and Goals

Students will be expected to listen to lectures, be attentive to media presentations, and participate in class discussions and exercises demonstrating their understanding of the materials presented.  Students will be prepared with the ability to take notes in the method of their choice.

Class Structure

·         Introductions, syllabus review, previous court testimony experience

·         Why are we here? Connecting the dots between forensic analysis and courtroom testimony

·         Organizational Structure of the U.S Court System

·         Physical organization of the court room, persons in the room and their roles

·         Legal terminology

·         Legal Admissibility-Frye, Daubert, Federal Rules of Evidence, State and Local Rules of Evidence, learned treatises

·         Curriculum vitae what it is and how to develop one

·         Exercise- Each student will develop and verbally respond to the following statement:

“Please explain to the court how you are qualified to testify today.”

·         Proper attire, entering a courtroom, swearing in, demeanor, public speaking skills, volume and inflection of voice, body language and posture, where to look, verbal and non-verbal communication, know your audience

·         Your personal life and how it affects your credibility-What’s on the table for defense?

·         Direct examination, Cross and re-cross examination, and expert witness rebuttal

·         Witness exclusion, referring to your notes, dismissal of witness, objections, hearsay, and confrontation clauses, how evidence is admitted, fact vs. opinion

·         Exercise- watch a video of courtroom testimony and critique as a small breakout group, recap as a class

·         Preparing for court- reviewing case file, disclosure, pretrial conferences, interviews, agency policies, exhibit preparation

·         Significance of certifications, proficiency testing, accreditation, education, training

·         Quality assurance procedures, evidence integrity and chain of custody

·         Know your case, anticipate questions, be ready to explain, seek advice of others

·         Review, Q&A- remainder of the block