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The Expert Witness & Thermography

In a court of law, a situation may arise where evidence involves infrared thermography. This Tip of the Week provides some advice for practicing thermographers who may be called to testify.

Either the defense or the prosecution will submit thermographic evidence to the court which supports their case. The other side may decide to secure the services of a thermographer to review the evidence and hopefully submit a report that supports their case. If the initial report supports their case they may ask the thermographer to appear in court and be accepted as an expert witness.

Appearing in a court of law is not for the faint of heart or someone who is not comfortable with public speaking. A few things need to be considered when appearing in court as the expert witness.

1. Make sure that you have reviewed all the evidence and background that was provided to you prior to your initial report. This evidence forms the basis of questioning from both sides if you are accepted as an expert witness.
2. Assemble a package of your credentials and experience. One of the parties wants you there and the other one does not. The side that does not want you there will do everything they can to discredit your credentials. It needs to be in a format that the judge can review and make sense of quickly.
3. Be prepared to wait, Justice is blind and it can also be very slow.
4. Keep your cool when being cross examined. Don’t take it personally; the prosecutor is just doing their job.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for the question to be rephrased or to say “I don’t understand the question” This is helpful to give you time to think or to collect thoughts.
6. Speak up, look people in the eye. It is important to speak with authority in a clear concise voice.
7. Get paid up front according to the scope of work. If for whatever reason things don’t go well for your client they may not want to pay.
8. Listen carefully to the questions being asked and keep a mental note of your answers. When being cross examined you will be asked the same question several different ways at different times.
9. After appearing in court think about what has transpired. What went well, what would you do differently the next time? Spend some time and put down on paper a summary of your testimony.
10. Unless totally familiar with standards, equipment specifications, or a procedure don’t lock yourself in to a specific number. The other side may bring that back and impeach you for being inaccurate.

Visit the Apex Infrared Web Site.