One of the most important duties a forensic expert witness must maintain is writing comprehensive reports on the evidence in each case that we study and testify in. These evidence analysis reports are extremely detailed and absolutely necessary.
At Forensic Media Expert, we take our expert witness reports very seriously, as it determines the validity of the audio and video evidence we have analyzed, enhanced and prepared. At the end of the day, enhanced digital media evidence is best utilized when the there is proper documentation of it. That way, if the prosecution, defense or judge want to delve deeper into the evidence, there’s clear documentation that will answer any of their questions.
Rule number 26 of the Federal Rules of Criminal & Civil Procedure requires a written report containing the following information:
- A complete statement of all opinions the expert witness will express, as well as the basis and reasons for
- The facts or data considered by the expert witness in forming these judgments.
- Any exhibits that will be used to explain or support the opinion
- The witness’s qualifications; including a list of all publications authored in the previous 10 years.
- A list of all other cases in which, during the previous 4 years, the witness testified as an expert at trial or by deposition
- A statement of compensation to be paid to the expert witness for the study and testimony in the case.