Testamentary competency: Reconciling doctrine with the role of the expert witness.

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willis J. Spaulding
Keyword(s):  
2020 ◽  
Vol 310 ◽  
pp. 58-66
Author(s):  
Jacek Juszkiewicz ◽  
◽  
Judyta Malewska ◽  

This article attempts to address certain aspects of forensic-legal examination of the authenticity of a document on the basis of a notarized photocopy (certified copy). The article outlines the essence of the notarial act – regulated in Article 98 of the Polish Notary Public Law – of certifying the conformity of a copy, extract or photocopy with a presented document and the dangers that may arise from regarding a notarized photocopy of a presented document as a photocopy of an authentic document. The role of the notary in terms of document authenticity verification has been signaled. From a forensic point of view, the lack of evidentiary equivalence between an original document and a certified photocopy in the process of testing the authenticity of a document was emphasized. Based on examples from the practice of an expert witness, the possibility of identifying a forgery on the basis of a notarized photocopy of a document свидительствo o рождении is presented. The authors attempt to formulate several postulates concerning the making of photocopies of documents and their subsequent notarization.


Author(s):  
Valery Yu. Shepitko ◽  
Mykhaylo V. Shepitko

The application of forensic science and expertise is a necessary prerequisite for the investigation of crimes at the local and national level. Without the use of forensic science and expertise, an investigation within the framework of a criminal process becomes dead and unsubstantiated. But with the globalisation of world processes, the development of technologies, the speed of information transmission, the formation of crime outside the borders of one state and its entry into the international level has become an urgent problem, which has become a challenge in countering such crime and the need to steer forensic science and expertise towards assisting law enforcement activities. A special feature of countering the investigation of crimes was the creation of international cooperation between forensic specialists and expert witnesses even prior to the establishment of practical institutions that could counteract them in practice. Therewith, some representatives of such international unions and associations have taken serious steps in creating mechanisms for real counteraction to crimes at the international level (R.A. Reiss, G. Soderman, M.Sh. Bassiuni). Coverage of the problem of international cooperation in the investigation of crimes through the definition of the role of forensic science and expertise allowed focusing on the following blocks: 1) international associations of forensic specialists for combating crime in the historical context; 2) international criminal police organisations in combating crime; 3) international cooperation in the field of conducting forensic examinations; 4) the use of forensic and special knowledge in the activities of the International Criminal Court. Thus, a combination of theory and practice in the fight against crime is demonstrated. Historically, this is associated with the role of forensic science and expertise in recording traces of crimes, analysing them, and forming legal, forensic, and expert witness opinions. The purpose of the study is to establish the decisive role of forensic science and expertise in international cooperation in the investigation of crimes. For this, the authors turned to forensic science and expertise, historical processes that served to create substantial international organisations created to counter international crime


Author(s):  
Richard M. Ziernicki

This paper outlines the legal system in the United States, the different types of courts, the differences between criminal and civil law, and the role of forensic engineering experts involved in civil lawsuits. After providing a summary of relevant procedures employed by civil and criminal courts, the paper describes the basic principles and requirements for the selection and work of a forensic engineering expert in both the state and federal court system. This paper outlines the role and function of forensic experts (specifically forensic engineers), in the United States court system. It is not a treatise on the legal system but on the role of experts. The paper presents the requirements typically used in today’s legal system to qualify a forensic engineer as an expert witness and to accept his or her work and opinions. Furthermore, this paper discusses who can be an expert witness, the expert’s report, applicable standards, conducted research, engineering opinions, and final testimony in court — and how those elements fit into the legal system. Lastly, the paper describes the concept of spoliation of evidence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-28
Author(s):  
Felix Ogbeiyulu Umanhonlen ◽  
Otakefe J.P ◽  
Killian Osikhenaogiedu

Economic and financial crime has been a clog in the wheel of progressand a majorproblem be devil economic prosperity and growth modelsof most nations of the world. Due to this government in some quarters have had the reason to set upinstitutions to unravel as well asdispels themenace. Despite this,fewer than much success mayhave been achieved by the respective anti-corruption agencies as a result of not identifying with therole of forensic accounting science in planning, investigating and representing expert witness/testimony on be fore law suit. This paper attempts toappraisethe role of forensic accountant in combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. The paper explored relevance components of economic and financial crimes and extensively discussed concepts of crime and criminality, corruption, white collar and cybercrimes. Specifically, the study reviews the historical antidotes of forensic accounting, emphasizes on the role of forensic accounting science in litigation and forensic accountantensuring economic and financial crime immersed. Moreso, the study identifies basis for future research, some potential crimes factors and forensic accounting science expert’s opinion in crime scene as well as reviewed prior studies and gap envisaged. Essentially, the study reviewed theoretical issues using qualitative approach thereby involving a survey of literature to decipher relevant issues. It there fore sought that forensic accounting serves the basis for investigation, expert witness testimonyand opinion of expert in lawsuit so as to unravel crimes, and reach resolution for recovering. However, concludes that there is need to involve and embrace accounting expert science in all facets of crime investigation in order to accelerate detections and ameliorate incidences of failed attempt on crime recovery related to economic and financial crimes. Therefore, propose that public and private sectors should engage, recruit and employservices of and/or stationed forensic accountant to review,strengthen, reappraises records and internal control on routine basis. Also to check incidences of crime perception as well as anti-corruption agencies saddled with the responsibilities of fighting economic and financial crimes to employ and adopt engagement of forensic accountant on regular basis among others for all-inclusiveness works of planning, investigating, detecting,and recovering.


Daedalus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 164-180
Author(s):  
Valerie P. Hans ◽  
Michael J. Saks

The role of the expert witness in trials is a paradox. Judges and jurors need help with matters beyond their understanding, and judges are expected to act as gatekeepers to ensure that jurors are not fooled by misleading expert testimony. Yet, as gatekeepers, judges might not effectively distinguish sound from unsound expert testimony. As factfinders, judges and jurors both might have difficulty comprehending expert evidence, intelligently resolving conflicts between experts, and applying the scientific and technological evidence they hear to the larger dispute before them. This essay explores those problems and a variety of possible solutions, ranging from more effective ways parties might present technical information at trial, to educational interventions supervised by the court, to making juries more effective in performing their task, to more controversial measures, such as replacing conventional juries with special juries and replacing generalist judges with expert judges.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 754-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Brent

Many forces have created the epidemic of negligence and malpractice litigation. One of the contributing factors to the rising rate of nonmeritorious litigation is the increasing number of unqualified and irresponsible expert witnesses. The high remuneration has attracted physican-scientists who are unaware of the proper role of an expert witness. They are frequently manipulated by the attorneys and function as partisans rather than scholars. The role of the expert witness should be taught in medical and graduate school. Testimony should be treated as a scholarly endeavor and experts should be encouraged to seek peer review of their opinions and not to testify secretly and in isolation. It is suggested that greater visibility of experts and their testimony (light of day phenomenon) should raise the quality of expert witness testimony and encourage more qualified experts to participate as expert witnesses, thus removing the stigmata usually associated with unqualified expert witnesses.


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