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Witness Preparation Archive
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The Glasses Stereotype Revisited
by Michael Forster and Gernot Gerger and Helmut LederPosted on March 31, 2013 | 9 CommentsAre there glasses that make you look more competent and trustworthy without damaging your perceived attractiveness? Why, yes! -
Beyond Expert Credentials: Every Aspect of Credibility Counts
by Charlotte A. (Charli) Morris, M.A.Posted on March 31, 2013 | 11 CommentsPreparing expert witnesses to be likable and persuasive to the jury. What needs to happen? -
Questioning Child Witnesses
by Nicholas Scurich, Ph.D.Posted on January 31, 2013 | 4 CommentsA simple, research-identified strategy to improve the quality of testimony you elicit from child witnesses. It's all in the way you structure the question! -
Forensic Mental Health Evaluations: Reliability, Validity, Quality, and Other Minor Details
by W. Neil Gowensmith, PhD and Daniel Murrie, PhD and Marcus T. Boccaccini, PhDPosted on January 31, 2013 | 5 CommentsHow often are forensic mental health evaluators going to agree on the competency, responsibility and readiness for release of those they evaluate? Hmmm. Not as often as one might prefer. -
Musings from the Deliberation Room: The Impact of Humor on Juror Decision-Making
by Jaime Bochantin, Ph.D.Posted on November 28, 2012 | No CommentsHow humor helps (or hinders) deliberations and how you can use humor style in voir dire. -
Thin Slices of Testimony
by Caroline Titcomb, MA and Stanley L. BrodskyPosted on September 30, 2012 | 11 CommentsHow much time do you really need to form impressions of a witness? Most of us have seen the research on thin-slicing and many of us have watched short segments of witness tape in mock trials. This research focuses in on the question of "how much is really enough"? -
The Witness the Jury Is Going to Hate
by Katherine James, MFAPosted on September 30, 2012 | 14 CommentsEver had a witness you just knew the jury was going to hate? Maybe because you felt that way yourself? How to rehabilitate and prepare that witness. -
Good Witnesses Don’t Smile (Much)
by Jacklyn E. Nagle and Stanley L. BrodskyPosted on September 30, 2012 | 10 CommentsHow much should a witness smile? It's a serious question. Credibility, knowledge and likability are complexly interrelated in the courtroom witness. Take a look at this article examining the frequency with which the most effective witnesses smile. -
Courtroom Attire: Ensuring Witness Attire Makes the Right Statement
by Merrie Jo Pitera, Ph.D.Posted on July 31, 2012 | 14 CommentsWhile witnesses’ verbal and non-verbal behaviors affect their credibility, another factor in jurors’ perceptions of them is their appearance. Witnesses often ask us, “What should I wear when I testify in court?” Of course it is important to remember that a courtroom is a very conservative arena; therefore, our golden... -
Hero or Hypocrite?
by Daniel A. Effron, Ph.D.Posted on July 31, 2012 | 5 CommentsDon't miss our trial consultant responses at the end of this article: Holly G. VanLeuven, MA and Katherine James, MFA. A Psychological Perspective on the Risks and Benefits of Positive Character Evidence In criminal trials, defense attorneys can call witnesses to testify about a defendant’s good character. Although the Federal...