In the final video of this series, legal and forensic experts share excellent and easy-to-remember tips for expert witnesses seeking to improve performance in the courtroom. Expert Evidence part 12

In this first example, the expert, Dr Jodie Witkowski is flustered, causing the barrister to prompt her. The second example, the expert crisply delivers her statement with assurance, with occasional glances towards the judge/ jury.

In the first example, the expert, Joe Bednall, appears to be mostly reading his evidence and doesn’t give the impression he’s across his material. The second example, the expert reads his statement, but punctuates the testimony with...

In the first example, the expert, forensic scientist Dr Fred Anderson, makes the statement, with a questioning intonation in his voice. The second example, the same words, but delivered with aplomb. This time the expert looks towards the...

In this scenario, the barrister is asking the expert about a sample taken from a corridor in a crime scene. The expert is being asked to explain the process of taking a control sample to verify that a positive reaction (indicating the...

A comparison between a question asked in an unclear manner by the lawyer, and a clearly asked question. In this scenario, the lawyer is attempting to undermine the expert witness’s credibility. The expert is being asked how frequently he...

This case study likewise involves the contrast between well-presented and poorly presented evidence. In this scenario, the expert is being asked to explain the likelihood of DNA being accidentally transferred onto a train platform. The...

This case study demonstrates the importance of preparation for presentation in court. The scenario demonstrates where an expert witness, Dr Jodie Witkowski, has failed to organise her notes. Her lack of preparation is revealed when the...

This case study examines the error of acting outside one’s area of expertise. The expert is being asked to explain the process of ouchterlony, an immunological technique used to detect the presence of human haemoglobin. The expert is...

Anyone can make mistakes when presenting expert evidence in an adversarial legal context: this video canvases ways to avoid them, and how to meet the many challenges positively. Expert Evidence part 10

This video canvasses the elements that must comprise effective presentation of reports and opinions for court. Expert Evidence part 8

Sam Norton (Robert Stary Lawyers) and Karl Kent (Victoria Police Forensic Services Department) discuss with Professor Barbara Etter (Edith Cowan University) the importance of pre-appearance discussions with relevant parties. Expert...

Former Supreme Court judge The Hon Frank Vincent AO QC, Professor David Denton of Victoria University and others present their perspective on the importance of expert witnesses’ credibility and experience. Expert Evidence part 4

Professor Barbara Etter (Edith Cowan University), police forensic investigator Karl Kent and Sam Norton of Robert Stary Lawyers discuss the challenges posed by evolving technologies when developing and presenting expert evidence. Expert...

This video defines and discusses the expert witness’ role and responsibilities. Expert Evidence part 1

In this video students will explore the interaction between living things and their environment. They will learn how to create an experiment where they use seeds to see how they are impacted by air, light, and water. This program...

This case study is a comparison between well-presented and poorly presented evidence. In this scenario, the expert is being asked about his investigation of a boat’s sinking rate. As part of the examination in chief, the expert is asked...

The reasons why we haven't heard from alien life.

The most intriguing signals SETI ever detected - SHGb02+14a, BLC1 and fast radio bursts.

My battery is low and it's getting dark. NASA's Opportunity has come to the end of a 15 year mission on Mars. But what did it do? This episode focuses on Endeavour Crater, Esperance and Cape York!

NASA's Opportunity had just made the most important discovery of its mission, the rock vein known as Esperance. But what happened next?

The smarter someone is, the more likely they are to get a particular type of problem wrong. This study involves a tricky question about a fictitious study on skin cream and how people, based on their numeracy, interpret the data. The...

Miscarriages of justice occur for sometimes the most slender, even avoidable reasons. This video presents some of the better-known Australian miscarriages of justice. Expert Evidence part 11

I grew up in the Worldwide Church of God cult, founded by Herbert W. Armstrong. In this video, I discuss one of the cult's main beliefs - British Israelism - and why it is wrong.