Qualifying an Expert Witness

Legal Studies Event

Updated on April 1st, 2023

This event will consist of two parts. During Part One competitors will be given a scenario in which they will prepare predicate questions to qualify an expert witness. Competitors will have twenty (20) minutes to prepare their questions. There will be no points assessed in Part One. During Part Two competitors will meet with the expert witness in front of a panel of judges and qualify the witness with their predicate questions. Competitors will have ten (10) minutes to qualify the witness. To encourage criminal justice students to improve their ability to properly qualify a scientist as a testimonial expert witness in a court of law.

Participant Limit Information

Dress Code

Competitors shall be dressed in Business Professional attire as defined in the TPSA Dress Code Policy.

Materials

Competitors are required to provide the following materials for the duration of the competitive event. No additional materials may be used that are not in the material list.

• Photo Identification qt. 1

  Reference https://tpsa.info/policies for more information

• Light briefcase or portfolio case qt. 1
• Blank writing pad qt. 1
• Writing Utensil qt. 1

Policies

• Competitors in this event must be active members of the Texas Public Safety Association and in good standing with the Texas Public Safety Association.
• Competitors must be familiar with and adhere to the Texas Public Safety Association Bylaws and Code of Conduct.
• Plagiarism, copyright violation and falsification of information are prohibited. Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated. Violation of the code of conduct or bylaws will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• The scenario is a secret topic. Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic until after the event has concluded. Violation of the ethics rules will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
• Competitors must turn in all case notes and predicate questions to the Judge upon completion of the event.
• The competitor may not have pre written questions prior to entering the competition area. All questions must be prepared inside the event location. The students notepad must be blank at the start of competition.

Procedures

1. Competitor will report to their respective event when called for or at a set reporting time.
2. Competitor must check in with event management upon arrival and present photo identification for verification.
3. Competitor will be directed (by room moderator) into the event room.
4. Instructions will be given (by room moderator) to the Competitor.
5. Competitor will be given 20 minutes to prepare predicate questions.
6. Competitor will be directed to the area where he/she will qualify the expert witness in front of the judge(s).
7. Competitor will have ten (10) minutes to qualify their expert witness.
8. Penalty points shall be assessed for exceeding the time limit in Part Two as follows: Loss of five (5) points for questioning under eight (8) minutes or over ten (10) minutes

Staff Instructions

People

• Judgeqt. 3
• Managerqt. 1
• Moderatorqt. 2
• Assistantqt. 1
• Actorqt. 1

Space/Location/Rooms

• Classroom or large flex area Indoor

  Room for competitors to prepare predicate questions

• Classroom or Large Flex Area Indoor

  Room for competitors to qualify the expert witness

Supplies

• Tables and Chairs for competitors qt. 1
• Presentation Table qt. 1
• Tables and Chairs for judges qt. 1
• Timer qt. 1
• Multiple copies of the event scenario qt. 1

  This must include the case in which the expert is testifying. Specification of the scientific field of expertise to the competitor. Curriculum Vitae of the Expert Witness.

• Rubric/Score sheet qt. 1
• Writing utensil qt. 1