Sample Cross-Examination Transcripts
Following are sample direct examination transcripts.
Direct Examination of Crime Scene Expert
Direct Examination of Firearm Tookmark Expert
Direct Examination of Homicide Detective
- Sample Direct Examination of Homicide Detective Part I
- Sample Direct Examination of Homicide Detective Part II
Direct Examination of Crime Scene Investigator
Direct Examination of Gang Expert
Direct Examination of Entomology Expert
Direct Examination of Fingerprint Expert
Direct Examination of Pathologist
Case: State of Maryland v. John Allen Muhammed
Summary: The State’s Attorney conducts a direct examination of Dr. Carolyn Revercomb, a medical examiner, to establish two points. First , that the cause of death of the murder victim was a shot to the head. Second, that the shot came from a “high velocity rifle” as opposed to some other kind of firearm, such as a pistol. The direct examination is effective, the expert’s qualifications to give the opinion are substantial and contested. Because a state medical examiner is called in almost every murder case to establish cause of death, or sometimes time of death or other relevant points, state medical examiners testify often and are almost universally considered qualified to give such opinions.
Here, the medical goes a step beyond the garden-variety medical examiner testimony by giving an opinion about what general kind of forearm was used in the murder. The Defendant, DC Beltway sniper John Muhammed, was representing himself. He did not contest the medical examiner’s qualifications to give opinion testimony concerning firearms, but did conduct cross examination on the point. He also pointed out that while the absence of gun powder stipling on the body indicated the victim was not killed at close range, it did not necessarily mean the victim was killed at long range.
John Allen Muhammed was executed in 2010 for the 2002 murder of a man in Prince William County, Virginia – an alleged part of the beltway sniper killing spree.
Direct Examination of Medical Examiner
Direct Examination of DNA Expert
