Gender of an Expert Witness and the Jury Verdict

James V. Couch; Jennifer N. Sigler

doi:10.1007/bf03395430

Gender of an Expert Witness and the Jury Verdict

The Psychological Record ◽

10.1007/bf03395430 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 281-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

James V. Couch ◽

Jennifer N. Sigler

Keyword(s):

Expert Witness ◽

Jury Verdict

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The defense of insanity

The Journal of Psychiatry & Law ◽

10.1177/009318538301100205 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 183-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rita J. Simon

Keyword(s):

Reagan Administration ◽

Expert Witness ◽

Insanity Defense ◽

Jury Verdict ◽

The Press ◽

History Of

This article traces the history of the insanity defense and reviews the controversies surrounding it. It compares the “wild beast test” introduced by Justice Tracy in 1723 with the criterion proposed by the Reagan administration following the attempted assassination of the president by John Hinckley. It assesses the role of the psychiatrist as an expert witness and that of the jury in defense-of-insanity trials, and reviews the press that both received following the Hinckley trial and jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

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A Trial Consultant's View of the Medical Expert Witness

Guides Newsletter ◽

10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2013.julaug03 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 7-10

Author(s):

Deborah Rutt ◽

Kathyrn Mueller

Keyword(s):

Nonverbal Communication ◽

Expert Testimony ◽

Medical Literature ◽

Expert Witness ◽

Personal Injury ◽

Expert Witnesses ◽

Good Teacher ◽

Medical Expert ◽

Medical Terms ◽

Medical Issues

Abstract Physicians who use the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) often serve as medical expert witnesses. In workers’ compensation cases, the expert may appear in front of a judge or hearing officer; in personal injury and other cases, the physician may testify by deposition or in court before a judge with or without a jury. This article discusses why medical expert witnesses are needed, what they do, and how they can help or hurt a case. Whether it is rendered by a judge or jury, the final opinions rely on laypersons’ understanding of medical issues. Medical expert testimony extracts from the intricacies of the medical literature those facts the trier of fact needs to understand; highlights the medical facts pertinent to decision making; and explains both these in terms that are understandable to a layperson, thereby enabling the judge or jury to render well-informed opinions. For expert witnesses, communication is everything, including nonverbal communication that critically determines if judges and, particularly, jurors believe a witness. To these ends, an expert medical witnesses should know the case; be objective; be a good teacher; state opinions clearly; testify with appropriate professional demeanor; communicate well, both verbally and nonverbally; in verbal communications, explain medical terms and procedures so listeners can understand the case; and avoid medical jargon, finding fault or blaming, becoming argumentative, or appearing arrogant.

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