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Law 101: Legal Guide for the Forensic Expert

Legal Requirements of an Affidavit

A sworn affidavit is a voluntary declaration of facts, findings, conclusions or opinions of the declarant, given with their affirmation that the contents are also true.

The declarant or affiant swears to the veracity (truthfulness) of their statements in front of a court officer authorized to administer an oath to witnesses in that jurisdiction. Notaries public, clerks of a court and government-appointed prosecutors are examples of those individuals frequently authorized to administer an oath by a witness.

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