Qualification Testimony and the Expert Witness
An article by Professor Edward J. Imwinkelried, an expert on evidence, was published by the National Law Journal in October. In the article, Imwinkelried argues that testimony about the witness's prior qualification as an expert is inadmissible hearsay.
A decade ago, Imwinkelried questioned the standard practice of asking an expert witness to disclose how many previous occasions he or she had qualified as an expert. Only recently have others shared his view.
Imwinkelried is the Edward L. Barrett Professor of Law at UC Davis, and has lectured for Continuing Legal Education Programs on evidence in 40 states. He is a former Chair of the Evidence Section of the American Association of Law Schools and is a member of the Distinguished Faculty of the National College of District Attorneys. He also serves as a consultant to the Publication Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. A prolific author, he has authored numerous books. He is the co-author of the fifth edition of McCormick on Evidence and the third edition of Scientific Evidence.
A decade ago, Imwinkelried questioned the standard practice of asking an expert witness to disclose how many previous occasions he or she had qualified as an expert. Only recently have others shared his view.
Imwinkelried is the Edward L. Barrett Professor of Law at UC Davis, and has lectured for Continuing Legal Education Programs on evidence in 40 states. He is a former Chair of the Evidence Section of the American Association of Law Schools and is a member of the Distinguished Faculty of the National College of District Attorneys. He also serves as a consultant to the Publication Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. A prolific author, he has authored numerous books. He is the co-author of the fifth edition of McCormick on Evidence and the third edition of Scientific Evidence.