Experts who attended the recent SEAK National Expert Witness Conference in Chicago raised some of the most difficult and vexing questions they face. These questions include:

Yes or No Questions
These questions are asked frequently where there is really not a black/white answer. Experts struggle with these questions.

Broad Questions
These types of questions are broad or ambiguous and not easy to answer. For example: Dr. Jones, please tell me about multiple sclerosis?

Comments on Opposing Expert
Experts who are asked to comment about the opposing expert witness struggle to say the “right thing.” For example: What is your opinion about the reputation of Mr. Smith?

Forensic Income
Experts, when asked about their fees and income frequently have difficulty answering seemingly simple questions. For example: What percentage of your income comes from forensic work?

Subjective vs. Objective Opinions
Experts can be asked about the objectivity of their opinions. These are difficult questions as there are not black/white, or even correct answers. For example: Which parts of your opinions are objective and which are subjective?

Your Draft Reports
Experts who are questioned about their draft reports often struggle to respond in an articulate and appropriate fashion. For example: Why did you decide to destroy the first two drafts of your report?

Reasonable Degree of Certainty
Experts often testify that they hold their opinions to a reasonable degree of certainty struggle to define what they mean by that term. For example: Can you please define what you mean by “reasonable degree of certainty?”

Conclusion
The above are a few of the questions that even experienced expert witnesses struggle to answer in an articulate and effective manner. For some of the most effective answers to the above questions please contact me at stevenbabitsky@seak.com.