AFTE Store - Admissibility Of Evidence Of Experiments

Normally, in an evidence course in law school, the area of admissibility of experimental and demonstrative evidence is given very little emphasis. Thus, while attorneys may be well versed in the hearsay rule, they are often deficient in understanding the requirements for admissibility of experimental evidence. It seems, therefore, that the foundational requirements are often left to the witness. If the witness is challenged in court regarding the design of his experiment, the evidence may be excluded if the witness does not have some knowledge of the legal requirements for admissibility. This paper is certainly not an exhaustive treatis on the subject, but it is intended to point out some of the principles involved in the admissibility of experimental evidence.