Forensic Testimony Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Forensic Testimony, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Forensic Testimony?

History and Meaning of Forensic Testimony

Forensic testimony is a critical component of a court case. It's an expert's report that addresses legal issues that need technical expertise to clarify. This report testifies to the issues, probable causes, and expert opinions in legal cases. Forensic testimony has its origins in court cases wherein facts needed clarification through expert opinion. Today, it applies to various fields of study, such as DNA analysis, pathology, and computer forensics.

Examples of Forensic Testimony

Here are some examples of how forensic testimony could be used in a legal setting:

• A blood spatter expert might give forensic testimony during a murder trial, explaining how the pattern of blood found at the scene of the crime can help determine what happened.
• A computer forensics expert might provide forensic testimony during a case of identity fraud, identifying how the perpetrator of the crime was able to obtain personal information through accessing digital records.
• An arson investigator could give forensic testimony about how they determined the cause and origin of a fire at a property under investigation.
• A forensic accountant might provide expert testimony related to issues such as fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, or bankruptcy proceedings.

Legal Terms Similar to Forensic Testimony

Some related terms to forensic testimony include expert witness, expert report, technical expert, and scientific expert testimony. These terms are all related to the idea of someone with specific knowledge acting as an expert in a legal case to provide testimony, opinions, or analysis.