Forensic Expert Witness Association Forms Chapter In Arizona

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—The Forensic Expert Witness Association is forming a chapter in Arizona, providing a forum for those who are expert in their specialty fields to meet and learn from other professionals who perform forensic investigations and provide legal testimony. The chapter’s inaugural meeting will be held the evening of Oct. 7 at the Scottsdale Marriott hotel. The speaker will be the Honorable Ruth H. Hilliard, who has been on the Maricopa County Superior Court bench since 1985. During her presentation, she will address a number of questions that concern expert witnesses, including: what works and what doesn’t work when you testify in front of a jury; what’s different between testifying at a jury trial and testifying to the court; and how should you answer when the judge asks you a question. The Forensic Expert Witness Association: •   Brings together a diverse group of professionals sharing common goals related to forensics •   Is dedicated to the professional development, ethics and promotion of forensic experts in all fields of discipline •   Offers members the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and the techniques required to perform expert testimony in an effective manner, providing opportunities for brainstorming, camaraderie, training, mentoring and networking “Our organization is attracting experts from many disciplines who strive to improve the quality of expert testimony they provide for the legal system,” said Lyle Coe, the association’s 2008 president. The Arizona chapter will sponsor regular meetings that feature speakers from the legal community—judges and trial lawyers—as well as experienced expert witnesses, who help FEWA members learn more about the intricacies of the legal system and to understand how judges, jurors and the public view the presence of experts in the court room. The chapter will also sponsor periodic educational workshops to improve the quality and reliability of expert testimony. The chapter will elect its officers and board of directors once the minimum requirements for the chapter are met.. FEWA has more than 600 members, with new chapters forming in the Midwest and Arizona this year. FEWA publishes an annual directory, a quarterly newsletter and sponsors continuing education workshops and other activities. The centerpiece of FEWA’s ongoing professional development program is its annual Expert Witness Summit. The next summit will be held in La Jolla, Calif., February 26-28, 2009. FEWA members regularly serve as expert sources to the news media, providing commentary on news events related to their fields of expertise. About the Forensic Expert Witness Association Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., the Forensic Expert Witness Association is an organization of a diverse group of professionals sharing common goals related to forensics and is dedicated to the professional development, ethics and promotion of forensic experts in all fields of discipline.  FEWA’s members provide expert witness testimony covering a broad range of specialties. For more information and searchable membership directory, visit the FEWA Web site: www.forensic.org.


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