| Other Laboratory Operations Food and Drug Administration |
| DOCUMENT NO.: III-08 | VERSION NO.:1.1 | Section 8 - Courtroom Testimony | EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2003 | REVISED: 06/27/2008 |
8.3 Giving Testimony
One of the best means of anticipating what questions the defense will ask
is simply to see the case from the defense perspective. "What questions
would I ask me to invalidate this testimony?" If at all possible try to
set up a mock trial involving fellow analysts, supervisors, and compliance
officers. Hold an informal roundtable discussion or a more formal setup where
peers can provide the inquisition the analyst may face on the witness stand.
This can be one of the most helpful experiences before trial. Unanticipated
questions may come to light and in some instances may provide the analyst with
a better understanding of how he or she will react under pressure. The
principles enumerated in Attachment "Deportment in the Courtroom
- A Guide to the Witness and Those Who Aid in Court Cases" are the
result of observations in court of some of the things that witnesses could
have done to make their appearance on the stand and the presentation of their
testimony more effective.
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