Forensic Expert Evidence Datasets

Caselaw Discussing Scientific Evidence Expert Testimony

In this database, we have assembled reported decisions, chiefly by appellate courts, that discuss the admissibility of expert testimony regarding firearms, fingerprint, and shoeprint evidence. This database digests reported judicial rulings regarding that type of proffered expert testimony.

Included Cases

The cases displayed in this database were gathered using searches of the Westlaw legal database, across all fifty states and the federal government, with rulings dating back over one hundred years. Where possible, trial rulings were obtained, but generally these cases reflect reported, written decisions containing the keywords used, and therefore largely reflect appellate rulings. We are particularly grateful to Simon Cole for sharing a collection of unpublished trial rulings, not available on Westlaw, regarding fingerprint evidence.

Using the Database

The cases are searchable across a range of characteristics, including basic information concerning the state, year, type of court, and parties, but also details concerning the basis of the rulings and the factors relied upon by each court. The database describes whether the ruling employed a Daubert or Frye standard, or a ruling regarding local rules of evidence, and what the result of that ruling was. The database is intended to provide a resource to forensic practitioners, to familiarize themselves with appellate rulings across jurisdictions, as well as to provide a resource to practicing lawyers seeking to better understand the developing caselaw. The database will be periodically updated to reflect new rulings.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Prof. Brandon L. Garrett, at bgarrett@law.duke.edu, with any questions, or with information about any judicial opinions that we should add to this database.