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Professionalism, competency, objectivity, and integrity: these are the concepts that should come to mind when considering the appropriate demeanor to exhibit in court proceedings. Maintaining the integrity of the individual as well as the science involved is critical. "Yes, sir," "no, sir," "yes, Your Honor," "no, Your Honor," and the like are entirely appropriate.
Handling the Aggressive Attorney
Circumstances will certainly arise that will tempt the analyst to enter into a debate or confrontation with the attorney. There are more effective methods to deal with attorneys who create such circumstances. It is important to remember that the attorney may be doing nothing more than intentionally trying to confuse or agitate the analyst during their testimony. The strategy has less to do with the substance of the testimony and more to do with demeanor and presentation to the jury.
- Remain professional and composed.
- Remain objective.
- Use volume and tone to deflect hostility.
- Explain answers, if necessary.
- Become agitated or argumentative.
- Permit the attorney to put words into your mouth.
- Become personally invested in the case or its outcome.
Additional Online Courses
- What Every First Responding Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence
- Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes
- DNA – A Prosecutor’s Practice Notebook
- Crime Scene and DNA Basics
- Laboratory Safety Programs
- DNA Amplification
- Population Genetics and Statistics
- Non-STR DNA Markers: SNPs, Y-STRs, LCN and mtDNA
- Firearms Examiner Training
- Forensic DNA Education for Law Enforcement Decisionmakers
- What Every Investigator and Evidence Technician Should Know About DNA Evidence
- Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court
- Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert
- Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues
- DNA Extraction and Quantitation
- STR Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony
- Español for Law Enforcement
- Amplified DNA Product Separation for Forensic Analysts