A square peg in a round hole or a necessary step to ensure evidence credibility? Many digital experts have their views on ISO 17025. But one thing is sure; getting accredited presents a lot of benefits for your lab and clients.

With the new Regulator’s Code, accreditation is no longer an option but a necessity. For you to ensure the credibility of your evidence, and to be statutory compliant, you must turn to the ISO standards.

Both these new standards and accreditation are changing the way digital scientists collect, process, and present evidence.

What is ISO 17025, what is its place in the world of digital forensics, and how can you get accredited? We have all those answers for you below.

What Is the New Statutory Code?

The new statutory code is a set of regulations that govern forensic science activities in England and Wales. This excludes Scotland and Northern Ireland. These two countries have their own forensic science crime investigation standards.

What this means for forensic laboratories is that compliance is mandatory for investigations aimed at solving criminal cases. 

The new code will officially come into effect on the 2nd of October 2023. Though it encompasses some ideas embodied in the Forensic Science Regulator CoP v7, there are some notable differences to anticipate. We will dive further into these in the next header.

The Forensic Science statutory code is issued by the Forensic Regulator’s office after section 2 of the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021.

New Statutory Code Vs. FSR CoP v7

In August 2022, the Regulator published a draft of the Statutory Code which provided the forensics industry with a glimpse of the requirements to come. The House of Lords approved the new Code on 1st of March 2023 under section 3 of the Act.

Since the Code is changing from voluntary to statutory, it has been expanded. This permits it to clarify areas that were only regarded as a scope of operation.

But what are some of the changes to anticipate?

Statutory

The new Code of Practice arising from the Regulator is statutory. This means that all parties involved in Forensic Science Activities (FSA) in Wales and England must comply. The previous code of conduct was not statutory.

This allowed industry participants to decide on compliance. With the new CoP, however, laboratories that are not fully compliant will be required to be compliant.

Management Requirements

The new Act expands on the management requirements all units must meet instead of covering only accreditation requirements. In this section, the FSR Code mandates that forensic units define all roles involved in Forensic Science Activities (FSAs).

This includes roles that have an impact on FSAs. For unit personnel whose roles do not directly affect the FSAs, but are supportive roles, training must be conducted.

Forensic Processes

Another area seeing better clarification is the process and procedure scope. The non-statutory FSR Code provided simple guidelines on processes. For example, we didn’t see much information included when it came to the control of records or personnel competence.

However, the new Code sheds more light on these regulatory areas. An area worth noting is under competence guidelines (Section 28). Here the Regulator has added rules that govern practitioners whose role involves evidence reporting.

Expert Testimony

The Statutory Code has also added more weight to the rules surrounding expert witnesses. The Code further impresses the importance of the impartiality of expert witnesses. But it doesn’t end there.

The Code also clarifies that the expert called to testify should be loyal only to the court. It expands to make demands on these witnesses to have been investigated for competence in their capacity as experts.

This is particularly true for expert witnesses called to share their opinions in criminal trials.

Business Continuity

The Regulator didn’t neglect to outline requirements in the event of business interruption. Though highlighted in the previous Code, the new Code further defines the appropriate courses of action in the event of interruption.

For example, what used to be a three-part section covering the frequency of business continuity assessments, recovery of data, and maintenance of data integrity is now a five-part section.

Under this section, continuity plans are better defined. This includes what the plan should cover and expands on data recovery and integrity preservation. The document also warrants that units have safeguard measures should external legal partners go out of business. 

What Is New?

There are several aspects of the soon-to-be-implemented Code that cover areas not included in the previous Code. These areas include: 

Senior Accountability Individual

The Code now mandates that forensic units have a senior manager whose role shall be to ensure compliance. This manager shall be the senior accountability individual.

Every unit that has two or more practitioners must appoint a senior accountability individual or SAI. But if a unit has only one practitioner, then that practitioner shall assume the role of SAI.

The SAI will be the point of communication between the unit and the Regulator. In their capacity as SAI, appointed practitioners will be responsible for ensuring data quality including averting quality failures. 

The senior accountability individual will be held liable for any action the Regulator takes against the unit. 

Every unit must report the contact details and appointment date, and outline the responsibilities of the SAI to the Regulator. And should any of the information change, the unit has 30 days to communicate these changes to the Regulator.

Infrequently Commissioned Experts 

Though covered in the FSR-C-100, it was not in-depth. But in the new document, the parameters for infrequently commissioned experts earned an entire section: Section 46.

In the FSR-C-100 regulations concerning these experts, there is a subset of a section discussing a team of experts from other professions. It outlines obligations the experts must meet before participating in a testimonial capacity. 

But in the new document, rules about infrequently commissioned experts are more strictly governed.

Some of the rules state that the expert shouldn’t have been called as a witness in any criminal justice system case within the preceding 12 months in the Wales and England territory. Experts are also required to comply with several Acts applicable to the CJS (criminal justice system) like the Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Practice Directions.

The Role of ISO 17025 in the Code

The Statutory Code places a significant demand on quality.  The majority of the sections in the Code reference standards of quality expected of the Wales and England forensic units and laboratories. The Regulator’s office has the responsibility of upholding these standards.

One of the outlined quality requirements in the Code is compliance with an internationally recognised standard. 

For digital forensics, the Regulator continues to suggest the ISO 17025 standards as the most appropriate.  

ISO/IEC 17025 in particular exists to regulate global laboratories. This ensures consistency in the results provided. And it enhances global collaboration and international trade.

With ISO 17025, all testing and calibration bodies will have the confidence to trust results from other laboratories regardless of their location around the world.

Why? Because with ISO 17025, labs follow the same standards for testing. These standards help laboratories produce credible results that are globally admissible.

In the Code, ISO accreditation is required from 2nd of October 2023 at 00:01. 

How to Achieve ISO 17025 Accreditation

Now that we have outlined the place of ISO 17025 in the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code, let’s explore steps for achieving accreditation. 

If you need help with ISO accreditation, we are the team to partner with. Backed by over 40 years of experience, we can help you and your unit develop an accreditation strategy that ensures compliance.

Step 1: Study the ISO Requirements 

Before you start your accreditation journey, you must acquaint yourself with the ISO 17025 requirements. To employ ISO, you must know what it means and demands from your unit. 

The three focus areas for ISO are:

• Quality management
• Technical competence
• Result accuracy

Gaining an understanding of how the three interact with your organisation will help you know the standards you need and which copy is perfect for your business. 

Step 2: Create a Gap Analysis

With the Code becoming mandatory, you will have to review your existing systems to ensure compliance. This will involve an in-depth study of your quality management system or QMS. 

Review areas that don’t line up with the required ISO standards. You may need to involve a consultant in this step. Working with a professional consultancy firm like SYTECH can help you create an analysis that encompasses all areas of your operations.

With SYTECH by your side, you can create an accreditation plan that will guarantee you are ISO accredited. We will help you ensure that you don’t miss any standards outlined in ISO 17205 and help you modify any operation that falls short. 

Step 3: Employee Training

The third step to accreditation is training. For your ISO standards to succeed, your entire unit will have to be educated in line with the requirements. 

You can create PowerPoint presentations for your employees, partner with Sytech, or send your employees to online training.

Step 4: Documentation of the QMS

Regardless of industry, QMS documentation is important. This makes compliance audits easier while also ensuring all parties know their roles.

But for digital forensics, this is vital on your road to accreditation. Not only will it help you know which standards need updating, but the QMS document will be reviewed as part of your application.

Step 5: Audit the QMS

Conducting an internal audit can help you review your QMS before the accrediting body sends an assessor. This will assist you in reviewing your system and reveal areas where it needs improvement. After an internal audit, you may need to redesign some aspects of your QMS.

Step 6: Apply for Accreditation

When your QMS system is in order, your technical competence is verified, and the internal audit is complete, then it is time to apply for accreditation.

You will need to pick an accreditation body to help you conduct the assessment. 

The assessor will review your documentation before doing an onsite review. These audits will review your competency in line with the ISO 17025 requirements. The assessor will look into your equipment calibration and proficiency testing. 

Benefits of ISO Accreditation

Getting an ISO 17025 accreditation can help your organisation build trust, avoid penalties and enhance trade. Below we review these benefits in greater depth.

Improved International Trade

One of the major benefits of ISO accreditation is that it opens the door to international trade. What this means is that results from an accredited lab in one country can be admissible as evidence in another. This allows for the collaboration of labs in different countries.

Competitive Advantage

Laboratories that are accredited inspire trust among clients. This assures that data is handled with integrity and that testing is conducted by qualified personnel.

Build Trust

ISO 17025 is designed to ensure a management hierarchy in an organisation. This makes a demand on labs to ensure that only qualified personnel handle testing and calibration. Therefore, an accredited laboratory communicates trust to its clients, certifying that qualified employees are the ones handling laboratory operations. 

Regulator’s Code Compliance

Implementing ISO 17025 standards within your organisation is one of the best ways to be Statutory Code compliant. The ISO 17025 standards are part of the requirements listed within the new Code, especially for testing and calibrating laboratories. 

Your Journey to Accreditation

With the new Statutory Code effective from October 2023, an ISO 17025 accreditation is no longer an option. For every lab and forensic unit within the UK, it is now a must. 

When it comes to getting started on your accreditation journey, SYTECH can help. We are the consultancy firm that can support your journey.

Contact us today to hear how our consultants can guide you to ISO accreditation.

 

James Bond made it look cool. From fancy devices and trinkets, he got the intel with tracker devices and hidden cameras. He used it to catch the bad guy. Yet what if the threat of covert spying wasn’t in the interest of government security or gathering intelligence, as James Bond made us believe? The threat of secret surveillance is increasingly used for nefarious reasons. Even ones that put people in danger and are a great invasion of privacy.

So, how is this threat of covert spying happening? What can you do to ensure you aren’t a victim? Read on to learn more.

What Is Covert Surveillance?

Let’s start with a common understanding of covert surveillance or clandestine surveillance. As the name suggests, this type of surveillance gets executed where the person or activity being surveilled is done in secret. It’s a calculated action done secretly to watch or gather information about or from someone unknowingly. Sometimes this covert surveillance gets done by a person who’s nearby. Other times it’s executed through a device, and the person watches or gathers information from a distance.

Eavesdropping, Spying, Snooping, How It’s Done

The average person doesn’t have access to James Bond’s arsenal of secret gadgets and tools. Yet, it’s become easier for those who want information secretly to get it in today’s tech-driven world. 

So, how is eavesdropping, spying, and snooping done in today’s world? With many hidden devices, including:

• Remote cameras
• Hidden listening devices
• Tracking devices, like GPS tracking
• Apple Air tags, used for tracking
• Drone surveillance
• Hidden data readers 

While these devices are secret, how do you know if someone is trying to spy on you? It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the most minor clues that tell you someone has been in your space. 

Types of Clandestine Surveillance

So, what’s being used to execute this invasion of privacy? Let’s take a closer look at some types of devices used to gather clandestine surveillance. 

Hidden Cameras

You know that surveillance cameras are everywhere as you go about your daily life. From parking lots to common business areas, security is watching. But where are the hidden cameras you aren’t supposed to know about?

Hidden cameras can be nearly anywhere. The technology is so advanced that cameras can be the size of a pinhead. These can be hidden in almost any object around a room. 

Be most worried about hidden cameras in areas like bathrooms and bedrooms, where your privacy is most at risk.

Tracker Devices

Tracking devices allow someone to know your whereabouts at all times. Often cell phones now carry tracking technology, so your whereabouts are available to anyone with your cell information. 

Unwanted tracking can be achieved by adding a secret GPS device to your transportation. Apple Air tags are meant for luggage, yet are the same type of tracking device that could be hidden in a bag or clothing. 

Covert Surveillance

Other types of covert surveillance include using drones to get a birdseye view to gather information. 

Secret devices hidden in card readers to steal credit card information are a huge problem for retailers constantly working to protect their data. 

When Should You Be Most Worried About Unwanted Surveillance?

You have some understanding of the types of threats that could be used for unwanted surveillance. You know how that surveillance might be attempted. Let’s consider where you’re likely most at risk for the potential for unwanted surveillance. 

Businesses Managers and Owners

If you’re a James Bond movie buff, you will likely have seen a few films involving corporate espionage and insider trading. 

You’re at risk if you own or run a business with valuable information. Every employer wants to trust the people who work for them. Yet, one disgruntled worker could wreak havoc with some covert spying. 

Gathering and using the information to start a new business using your information or selling to the competition could profoundly damage any business. 

If you’ve created a product or service, businesses must also protect their intellectual property. Covert spying could take your most valuable assets from you.

School Environments

Most people want to believe they send their children to school where they are supervised and taught by well-intentioned individuals. Sadly, in today’s world, that isn’t always the case. 

There are too many news stories of secret cameras in schools and school personnel using surveillance as sexual predators. This could include teachers, coaches, and school support staff. If your child suspects anything or you get an uncomfortable feeling, trust it and investigate.

Hotels and Rental Accommodations

You’ve heard plenty of stories about when people do a property share through a business like Airbnb or VRBO, only to find they’ve been under surveillance while staying in the property. 

This is a massive invasion of privacy, even if they aren’t the property owner. It’s important to learn about hidden cameras and listening devices and learn how to find a hidden camera when you’re on or staying at someone else’s property.

Retail Environments

You also face some potential unwanted surveillance risks when you’re out shopping. Be very aware of dressing rooms and their set-up. Some people have chosen to avoid them together to avoid the risk of clandestine cameras watching while trying on clothes. 

Other retail risks include cameras working on getting PINs from debit cards or tracking devices in card readers to steal customer information.

Be aware of the cybersecurity measures used by the places where you spend your money. You should expect any business to be working to protect your data. 

Understanding the Threat of Covert Spying

Unfortunately, the threat of covert spying is real. The more aware you are of the risks, the better you can work to protect yourself. 

If you’re worried someone is attempting to spy on you covertly, it might be time to call in the professionals for an assessment. Contact us for help with the digital forensics you need to protect yourself. 

The average cost of dealing with a ransom attack on an organisation or business can be £4.10 million. The cost of a cyber attack or a data breach in the UK has increased by 8.1% over the last year.

A ransom attack on a business can take up to 237 days to identify and another 89 days for containment. Cyber threats are very real, costly, and are always becoming creative and invasive. 

So, how should a business or organisation address potential cyber vulnerability? Cyber Essentials is intended to help you address potential threats you face in cyber security.

Read on to learn more about why Cyber Essentials are so important to you.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

As early as 2014, the British government reckoned the serious threat related to cyber security. Through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, developed Cyber Essentials.

Cyber Essentials has multiple goals for organisations, including:

• Guarding against common cyber threats
• Addressing common online threats to cybersecurity
• Identifying vulnerabilities
• Reducing the chances of an attack

The threats included addressing phishing, hacking, and illegal password retrieval. Cyber Essentials is set for organisations to work through a checklist to evaluate their cyber security protocols. 

Then it helps to address weak areas of their cyber security plan.

Cyber Security Threat Landscape

The world of cyber security is evolving at a breakneck pace. As soon as you think you’ve addressed one possible threat, another can appear.

But an organisation can’t address its cyber security needs without having a good understanding of the possible threats that are out there. 

As businesses rely more and more on technology, with  information and data in a computer or on a cloud, the risks increase.

One of the keys to a solid cyber security plan is that it can evolve and adjust as your needs change over time.

Five Technical Controls of Cyber Essentials

As Cyber Essentials was developed, the goal was to help organisations look at five key areas of their IT infrastructure. 

An organisation starts with a self-assessment questionnaire to consider how their IT infrastructure will hold up in these five areas. Then the business can go on to address its needs in each area. 

Let’s take a closer look at these five areas. 

1. Firewalls

As the name suggests, a firewall is like a cyber wall that prevents access to private networks. When a cyber attacker attempts to get into a network to access information or data, the firewall, if done right, should prevent them from gaining access. 

Your IT infrastructure can be built to identify who has access to your networks and their information. It can even delineate where certain users can go on the network. 

2. Secure Configurations

Computer networks have servers that help organise information and where to go when looking for information. A key to quality cyber security is your server configurations. They help to prevent access where it shouldn’t be granted. When you have quality server configurations, you reduce your network’s vulnerability. This prevents your network from releasing information when it shouldn’t and helps to prevent unauthorised actions into your network.

3. User Access Control

Most organisation networks are built with users in mind. They also have network administrators who oversee and have more access, ability and control over things within the IT infrastructure. Any organisation has to be thoughtful about who and how many people have administrator privileges. The more people with total access, the more risk of hackers getting in. You want limited access to computers, applications, and networks for anyone without administrator status.

4. Malware Protection

Malware is malicious software. It’s a type of software used by hackers to cause harm to computers and networks. Malware can be particularly dangerous and costly to organisations. 

It can:

• Damage files
• Steal confidential information
• Lock files
• Prevent access

It’s a common practice for hackers to use malware to invade a network and hold it hostage until paid to release it. You need your IT infrastructure set up to prevent malware invasions. 

5. Patch Management

The world of cyber security is constantly evolving. You find ways to protect your IT infrastructure; then hackers work to invade in new ways. 

It requires your cyber security plan to be prepared to address changes and needs as they arise. If a weakness develops, you can patch the issue to remain secure. 

Types of Cyber Essentials Certification

There are two types of Cyber Essentials certification. There’s the Cyber Essentials certification and Cyber Essentials Plus. Both certifications start with Cyber Essentials requirements with a self-assessment questionnaire.

Your IT expert completes the assessment questionnaire answering questions about the five areas and your IT infrastructure. Many organisations will seek professional assistance to guide them through the assessment questionnaire. 

Once complete, an external certifying body evaluates the assessment and decides if your IT infrastructure qualifies for Cyber Essentials certification.

Benefits of Cyber Essentials Certification

A Cyber Essentials certification shows your organisation has done what needs to be done to protect against the most common types of cyberattacks. 

Those who’ve suffered through a cyberattack can tell you that you’ll suffer business loss. You could face potentially great expense if you’re a victim of a cyber attack. 

Although Cyber Essentials is often required to bid on government contracts, show your organisation has done everything possible to protect itself from the risks of cyberattacks. You gain the trust and confidence of those you do business with. Your credibility and reputation with a Cyber Essentials certification show you care about IT security. You get more business while assuring existing customers you take securing their data and information seriously.

Protect Your Organisation With Cyber Essentials

Without a careful cyber security plan, your organisation can face a significant risk of a cyberattack. Cyber Essentials certification helps ensure you have a solid security plan.

Get a free consultation for your Cyber Essentials certification. Contact us today to get started. 

 

Appearing in court is a nerve-wracking affair.

It’s intimidating even if you aren’t the defendant being charged with a crime: Back in 2016, a watchdog found that more than 10,000 criminal cases had to be dropped because witnesses simply didn’t show up on the day.

Whether you’re due to appear in Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court, we’ve compiled this easy guide to break down the jargon and explain what will happen on the day.

Keep reading to learn how to prepare the right way.

Types of Offence in the UK

In English law, all criminal offences fall into three categories:

• Summary-only offences
• Triable either-way offences
• Indictable-only offences

The difference is in the type and severity of the alleged crime committed. You might call a summary offence a “petty” crime, such as a motoring offence, criminal damage case, or an instance of minor assault.

In 2020, 74% of cases in the UK were summary offences, while 23% were triable either way. The remaining 3% were indictable offences.

Indictable-only offences are serious crimes, such as murder, manslaughter, FGM, and rape. Either-way offences are those that fall somewhere between summary and indictable incidents. They’re often crimes that have a broad spectrum of possibilities, such as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

As you’d imagine, the maximum punishment for summary offences is far more lenient for more serious crimes – most summary offences carry a 6-month maximum penalty of £5,000. Indictable offences are punishable with up to life in prison.

Magistrates’ Court vs Crown Court

The key difference between the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts is the type of offences. In virtually all cases, summary offences are tried at Magistrates’ Court.

Crown Court, presided over by a judge with a jury present to deliver a verdict, deals with either-way and indictable offences.

In other words: Serious crimes are tried before a judge and jury, while lesser criminal cases are tried before a panel of judges.

What Is A Magistrates’ Court?

Magistrates’ Court is a lower court that handles most summary offences. Usually, a Magistrates’ Court is presided over by three judges, who hear a case and pass a judgement – though it’s not unheard of for only two judges to be present.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in the UK.

Giving Evidence in Magistrates’ Court

Cases heard in Magistrates’ Court are typically resolved far more quickly than in a Crown Court. Often, you’ll only be required to attend court for a day, and we’ve compiled a list of tips for you on how to give evidence in a clear and concise manner.

You will be asked questions by the panel of judges directly and may be cross-examined by the defending lawyer. 

What Is A Crown Court?

The Crown Court primarily handles indictable offences, as well as either-way offences that are triable only as indictable offences because of the circumstances of the incident.

Giving Evidence in Crown Court

Cases that go to Crown Court are heard before a jury and the most severe criminal cases can take months to reach a verdict. If you’re required to give evidence before the Crown Court, you may find yourself waiting around for a long time to be called up.

Sometimes, certain witnesses are ruled out as unreliable or not needed by the CPS or defendant’s lawyers – but usually, if you’re there, you will appear before the court.

Witnesses wait in a separate room from defendants and their families to prevent conflicts. On the day, a representative from the Citizens Advice Witness Service will help you find your way around.

They will listen to and address any concerns you may have, and accompany you when you give evidence.

What Is an Expert Witness?

Expert witnesses are people with extensive knowledge of specialist topics. They may include forensic experts, cyber security specialists, data analysts, and coroners.

Ultimately, it’s up to the courts to decide who can and cannot give evidence as an expert witness. And importantly, an expert witness cannot offer up their own opinions, claiming them as fact – that’s hearsay and isn’t admissible as evidence.

Expert witnesses are expected to provide independent opinions in accordance with the questions they are asked. They don’t speculate on areas beyond their expertise and don’t provide advice to the courts on how to proceed.

Prior Considerations Before the Court Day

Before you go to court, you will need to take care of a few administrative tasks. That can include hiring a babysitter and informing your boss or manager that you’re required to give evidence in court. Your employer can’t refuse your request for time off, but they aren’t required to pay you for it.

However, you are able to claim expenses from the government.

If you suffer from a disability or require a translator to help with your statement, you can contact the CPS for assistance, which will be provided to you.

Finally, if you’re considered a vulnerable witness, the CPS will offer additional protections, such as shielding your identity to prevent a defendant from knowing who you are.

Etiquette in the Courtroom

Regardless of whether you give evidence at Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court, you must observe courtroom etiquette. This includes matters such as:

• Dressing in formal attire
• Treating your witness statement seriously
• Being clear and precise in your testimony
• Answering questions directly when asked
• Staying on topic

It’s important that you don’t volunteer information or meander when you’re asked about a matter. You’re giving evidence in court to answer specific questions that may (or may not) be deliberated over by a jury.

Prepare for Court Testimony

Whether you’re headed for Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court, knowing how to prepare in advance helps calm your nerves and ensures you’ll give fair and accurate testimony.

If you need assistance to prepare for court, we can help. At Sytech Forensics, we offer consultancy and training for court appearances to ensure our clients give professional testimonies. Click here to arrange a free consultation.

 

The truth is in your hands! More than one million cases were held in magistrates’ courts in 2020 alone. Many of these cases involved expert witnesses who explained difficult concepts for jurors and magistrates. 

Your testimony can be the difference between acquittal and conviction. For you to make the most effective courtroom testimony and to ensure that justice is served, you need to follow a few steps. 

How should you behave in court? How can you answer questions and give accurate information? What should you never do while you are testifying?

Answer these questions and you can perfectly fulfil your responsibilities as an expert witness. So, here are 12 essential tips for testifying in court.

1. Review Courtroom Etiquette

Even if you are familiar with testifying in court, you should study courtroom etiquette before your testimony. It never hurts to have a helpful refresher. Try to sit in on a hearing that your judge or magistrate is running so you can understand how they conduct themselves in the courtroom. Take notes on what types of answers they like, and what they don’t.

Read a guide on what to expect coming to a court so you’re fully prepared. You can also ask for tips for testifying from a judge not involved in your case if you would like extra reassurance. 

2. Understand Your Legal Rights and Limitations

As an expert witness, you cannot offer your own opinion and claim it is fact. You must base your testimony on science that is generally well-accepted, and you must explain your methods and thought process during your testimony. 

You should talk to a barrister or solicitor so you know what answers you can and can’t give. If you’re nervous about violating the law or courtroom procedures, hire an expert witness preparation coach to train you. 

3. Study the Case

Gather as much information about the case as possible. Understand how your testimony will elucidate a confusing point or procedure. Document your own process of researching the case, the surrounding issues, and consider taking written notes you can introduce as evidence in the trial.

4. Dress Properly

You should wear formal attire before going to court. Wear full sleeves, comb your hair, and trim any facial hair. You can wear a coat if you’re feeling cold, but select one that will not clash with the rest of your outfit.

5. Take the Responsibility of Testifying Seriously

Being asked to testify as an expert witness is a serious responsibility. Avoid saying anything about the case to anyone besides your lawyer. 

If you feel you cannot give your testimony due to a conflict of interest or another shortcoming, tell the judge as soon as possible. You can be excused if you have a valid legal reason. Testifying while you have a conflict of interest can lead to a retrial or a delay.

6. Be Clear

Your testimony will be useless if the judge or jury cannot understand what you are talking about. Use simple language and keep your sentences as short as possible. Do not talk over anyone, especially when someone is objecting to a question.

Be as specific as possible with your answers. If you are answering a multi-part question, mention what part you are addressing before you give your answer. If you need to qualify your remarks, make the qualification and explain the factors that can affect your answer. 

7. Use Your Own Words

You can ask a legal professional for help and get expert witness training for yourself. But you should not answer questions based on what you remember from your conversations with others. You should always phrase your answers as you would phrase them in natural conversation. 

Do not nod or shake your head to a question. You should speak aloud and make your thoughts known so everyone can understand what you are saying.

8. Take a Moment to Think

You do not have to answer a question as soon as it is asked of you. Take a few seconds to think about what the best answer is and how you can phrase it properly. There is no rush in the courtroom. 

Take a deep breath so you are calm and not rushing to speak. You can also take a sip of water if you’re feeling thirsty or dry. This will help you with providing a clear and concise answer. 

9. Answer Questions Directly

You may be asked uncomfortable or difficult questions. Do not get emotional, and do not dodge the question you are asked. Give the most honest answer you can and ask for clarification if something seems confusing. 

10. Never Volunteer Information

Do not meander while you are answering a question. Stay on the subject and stop talking once you’ve stated everything that you think is helpful. Do not talk about a different subject, even if you think it would be helpful.

11. Do Not Exaggerate 

Exaggerating or overstating your conclusions can hurt your credibility and cause you to contradict yourself. If you are not sure of something, say that you are not sure. If you think a lawyer is twisting your words or exaggerating your position, mention that when you are answering a question.

12. Be Positive

Though you should avoid exaggerating, you should also put as much authority into your answers as possible. Avoid saying “I think” or “I guess.” Bring up statistics, scientific theories, and processes that corroborate your perspective, and refer to other facts brought up in the trial if you can. 

Deliver a Strong Courtroom Testimony

Before you deliver a courtroom testimony, you need to take some preparations. Study the case, talk to a legal professional, and get training so you deliver clear answers. Before you answer any question, think it through so you are using your own words. 

Never make guesses, exaggerate your information, or avoid answering questions. Give the full extent of your knowledge and acknowledge your limitations. 

If these tips are hard to grasp, you should get courtroom testimony preparation. Sytech Consultants helps businesspeople and professionals prepare for giving testimonies. Contact us today.