Under the federal rules, the following are subject to disclosure:

1. Defendant's oral statement(s).
2. Defendant's written or recorded statement(s).
3. Defendant's prior record.
4. Documents and objects.
5. Reports of examinations and tests.
6. Expert witnesses.

Information may be disclosed in a variety of ways. Some examples of discovery components include:

• A request for production of documents, items, samples, property and specimens.


• Verbal deposition, or the informal process of taking sworn testimony from witnesses (including experts) before trial.


• Disclosure of oral, written or recorded statements (frequently found in law enforcement reports).


• Copying or inspecting documents, books, papers, data, photographs and computer records.


• Test results.


• Written interrogatories or questions posed to an opposing party or witness.


• Physical and mental examination of parties.


• Requests for admission (often designed to eliminate issues from trial).

When an expert is expected to provide opinion testimony in the case, a written summary of the anticipated testimony must include a description of the opinions, the bases and reasons for those opinions, and the witness's qualifications.

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