Expert Witness Questions

Question 1

Psychiatrists disagree in court because of which of the following:
1. ) The adversary system polarizes expressions of psychiatric opinion
2.) Opposing attorneys provide different data to each psychiatrist
3.) Attorneys select psychiatrists likely to support their position
4.) Psychiatrists may be biased

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 1

E. All are correct.

Question 2

In discovery depositions, the goals of the deposing attorney include:
1. Intimidating the witness
2. Assessing the witness.
3. Getting the witness to change his/her opinion
4. Gathering ammunition for the trial

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 2

C. Only 2 and 4 are correct

Question 3

Expert psychiatric opinions may be expressed if they are stated as:
1. Strong possibilities
2. 100% certain
3. 40% certain
4. A reasonable medical certainty.

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 3

D. Only 4 is correct

Question 4

Psychiatrists testifying in court should:
1. Refer to their curriculum vitae as their resume
2. Use occasional jargon.
3. Leave the courtroom immediately after their testimony.
4. Try to minimize their participation in pretrial conferences

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 4

B. Only 1 and 3 are correct.

Question 5

The psychiatric expert witness must understand:
1. Rule of evidence
2. The legal issue
3. The ground for objections
4. The legal standard

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 5

C. Only 2 and 4 are correct

Question 6

The psychiatric expert witness should:
1. Attack the cross-examiner if personally attacked
2. Direct his/her remarks to the questioner
3. Use humor if the trial is boring.
4. Not appear to be an adversary

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 6

D. Only 4 is correct

Question 7

Expert witnesses:
1. May give opinions in court.
2. Generally have more credibility than fact witnesses
3. Have facts beyond the scope of the average juror
4. Are truly impartial

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 7

B. Only 1 and 3 are correct

Question 8

Basic components of credibility include:
1. Expertise
2. Trustworthiness
3. Dynamism
4. Logic

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct
B. Only 1 and 3 are correct
C. Only 2 and 4 are correct
D. Only 4 is correct
E. All are correct.

Answer 8

A. Only 1, 2, and 3 are correct