Legal Definitions - forensic testimony

Forensic testimony is when a scientific expert gives testimony to help with a lawsuit or prosecution. This testimony is given by an expert witness on a technical or scientific issue.

• A forensic scientist testifying about DNA evidence in a criminal trial
• An engineer testifying about the cause of a building collapse in a civil lawsuit
• A medical examiner testifying about the cause of death in a wrongful death lawsuit

These examples illustrate how forensic testimony can be used in different types of legal cases. In each case, a scientific expert is called upon to provide their knowledge and expertise to help the court make a decision.