Expert Witness

expert witness

[ikspurt′, ek′spərt]

Etymology: L, experiri, to try; AS, witnes, knowledge

a person who has special knowledge of a subject about which a court requests testimony. Special knowledge may be acquired by experience, education, observation, or study but is not possessed by the average person. An expert witness gives expert testimony or expert evidence. This evidence often serves to educate the court and the jury in the subject under consideration.

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Expert Witness

A person qualified by education, training, experience, occupation, present position, degrees held, publications and professional organization membership that establishes authority as an expert to give opinions

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expert witness,

n a person sufficiently trained in a given area of expertise who can give testimony relevant to a case in court.

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expert,

n a person who has special skill or knowledge in a particular subject, such as a science or art, whether acquired by experience or study; a specialist.

expert system,

n a computer program that follows a logical pathway or algorithm to a conclusion in a manner that mimics what an expert in the field would follow.

expert testimony,

n the sworn statements of a person with special knowledge about a subject under consideration by a court of law.

expert witness,

n a person who has special knowledge of a subject about which a court requests testimony to educate the court and the jury in the subject under consideration.

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witness,

n one who has knowledge of an event; a person whose declaration under oath is received as evidence for any purpose.

witness, expert,

n a person whose education, training, and experience can provide the court with an assessment, opinion, or judgment within the area of his or her competence, which is not considered known or available to the general public.

witness, hostile,

n witness who manifests so much hostility or prejudice under examination (in chief or direct) that the party who has called the witness is allowed to cross-examine the witness (i.e., to treat him or her as though he or she had been called by the opposite party).

witness, lay,

n a witness who testifies only to firsthand knowledge of facts before judge and jury, different from an expert witness in that the witness is not allowed to testify to theories or hypothesize based on education or expertise.

witness marks,

n.pl the small hemispheric depressions that may be prepared in the bone surface in lieu of abutment grooves as a guide for seating the abutment posts of the implant.

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expert witness

Forensic medicine A person qualified by education, training, experience, occupation, present position, degrees held, publications and professional organization membership that establishes authority as an expert to give opinions; EWs are permitted to offer opinions in court related to their area of expertise which would not be permitted a witness without such status. See Expert. Cf Hired gun, Whore.