Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box!
| dc.contributor.author | Kaliski, Sean | |
| dc.contributor.editor | Kaliski, Sean | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-10T12:12:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-10T12:12:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This chapter provides a comprehensive, practical guide for mental health professionals navigating the complexities of delivering expert testimony within the adversarial legal system, with a particular focus on the South African context. Acknowledging the inherent stress and "dismay" that legal summonses cause clinicians, the author dispels common misconceptions like the "Star-Witness Fantasy" and examines foundational systemic limitations, including a lack of peer review for courtroom testimonies and the prevalent perception of experts as "hired guns". The text maps out the progression from pre-trial preparation to courtroom exit. It delineates the roles of "witnesses of fact" versus "expert witnesses" (including treatment and forensic experts) and emphasizes the ethical necessity of avoiding dual-role conflicts. Practical checklists cover ensuring the scope of practice, fee negotiations, data mastery, and pre-trial brief reviews with legal counsel. For the courtroom environment, the author provides tactical advice regarding etiquette, dress, direct evidence-in-chief, and managing aggressive cross-examinations while avoiding "narcissistic excitement". Finally, the chapter contrasts South Africa's reliance on judicial arbitration with international benchmarks like the U.S. Daubert standard, notes the limits of applying group-level scientific data to individuals, details the ethical pitfalls of breaching clinical boundaries, and briefly contemplates the modern challenges of remote testimony via digital platforms. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Kaliski, S. (2023). Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box!. In S. Kaliski. (Ed.), <i>Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery</i> (pp.11). Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Kaliski, Sean. "Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box!" In <i>FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH: FROM ASSESSMENT TO RECOVERY</i>, edited by Sean Kaliski., 11. Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297. | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | Kaliski, S. 2023. Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box!. In <i>Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery</i>. S. Kaliski, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech. 11. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297 . | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Chapter in Book AU - Kaliski, Sean AB - This chapter provides a comprehensive, practical guide for mental health professionals navigating the complexities of delivering expert testimony within the adversarial legal system, with a particular focus on the South African context. Acknowledging the inherent stress and "dismay" that legal summonses cause clinicians, the author dispels common misconceptions like the "Star-Witness Fantasy" and examines foundational systemic limitations, including a lack of peer review for courtroom testimonies and the prevalent perception of experts as "hired guns". The text maps out the progression from pre-trial preparation to courtroom exit. It delineates the roles of "witnesses of fact" versus "expert witnesses" (including treatment and forensic experts) and emphasizes the ethical necessity of avoiding dual-role conflicts. Practical checklists cover ensuring the scope of practice, fee negotiations, data mastery, and pre-trial brief reviews with legal counsel. For the courtroom environment, the author provides tactical advice regarding etiquette, dress, direct evidence-in-chief, and managing aggressive cross-examinations while avoiding "narcissistic excitement". Finally, the chapter contrasts South Africa's reliance on judicial arbitration with international benchmarks like the U.S. Daubert standard, notes the limits of applying group-level scientific data to individuals, details the ethical pitfalls of breaching clinical boundaries, and briefly contemplates the modern challenges of remote testimony via digital platforms. CY - Cape Town, South Africa DA - 2023 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town ED - Kaliski, Sean J1 - Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery KW - Forensic Psychiatry, Expert Witness, Expert Testimony, Cross-Examination, Pre-trial Preparation, Legal System (South Africa), Bioethics / Dual Loyalties, Daubert Standard LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PP - Cape Town, South Africa PY - 2023 T1 - Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box! TI - Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box! UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Kaliski S. Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box!. In Kaliski S, editor.. Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery. Cape Town, South Africa: Edutech; 2023. p.11. [cited yyyy month dd]. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43297. | en_ZA |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Edutech | |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health | |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences | |
| dc.publisher.location | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | |
| dc.source | Forensic Mental Health: From Assessment to Recovery | |
| dc.source.pagination | 11 | |
| dc.subject | Forensic Psychiatry, Expert Witness, Expert Testimony, Cross-Examination, Pre-trial Preparation, Legal System (South Africa), Bioethics / Dual Loyalties, Daubert Standard | |
| dc.title | Chapter 7: Expert Testimony: Jack's in the Box! | |
| dc.type | Chapter in Book |