- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Presentation Skills
Home > Communicating Results > Courtroom Testimony > Presentation Skills
Presentation skills are difficult for an examiner to master. The ability to balance the highly technical field of expertise while ensuring the jury comprehends the content is not as easy as one would initially think. It is easy for the testimony to become overly technical and scientific, well beyond the grasp of the jury’s ability to understand. Conversely, it is equally easy to oversimplify the subject matter and become condescending or insulting to the jury. Witnesses should remember to enunciate clearly and loudly enough to be heard by the jury. Always check with the attorney to get an idea of the jury composition and education level. Remember that the most precise, technically correct, and jargon-laden statement doesn’t mean anything if the jury doesn’t understand it correctly. The examiner should double check any materials that they expect to use in their presentation for accuracy and clarity.
