Bases of Forensic Pathology Expert Testimony With Emphasis on Iowa v Tyler. Issue 4 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weedn, Victor W.
• Is Part Of: Academic forensic pathology. Volume 11:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 195
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Forensic pathology -- Expert witness -- Expert opinion -- Testimony -- Forensic pathologist -- Iowa v Tyler; Forensic pathology -- Periodicals; Forensic pathology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1177/19253621211060961
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1925-3621

Abstract

Judicial scrutiny of the forensic sciences is increasing. This scrutiny targets the bases for expert opinions. Forensic pathologists must understand that when they express an opinion it must have an articulable underlying basis. Iowa v Tyler provides a cautionary tale where testimony from a forensic pathologist on the cause and manner of death based exclusively on police reports and audio and video recordings of police interviews of the suspect rather than on medical evidence were held to be inadmissible. Tyler has an odd and distinguishable set of facts, but has been widely cited as an example of problematic forensic pathology testimony.