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37 Jurimetrics 23 (1996-1997)
Assessing the Believability of Expert Witnesses: Science in the Jurybox

handle is hein.journals/juraba37 and id is 47 raw text is: ASSESSING THE BELIEVABILITY OF EXPERT WITNESSES: SCIENCE IN THE JURYBOX Daniel W. Shuman Anthony Champagne Elizabeth Whitaker* ABSTRACT: This article reports on a study of the factors associated with jurors' assessments of experts' believability. A total of 156 former jurors from 24 civil cases tried in Dallas Country, Texas, responded to a telephone survey. Multivariate analysis revealed no statistically significant associations between the occupations of the experts or the characteristics of the jurors, on the one hand, and the believability of the experts, on the other hand. Perceived qualifications, familiarity with the facts, good reasoning, impartiality, and the side calling the expert were associated with believability. We conclude that jurors make expert-specific decisions based on rational criteria. * Daniel W. Shuman is Professor of Law, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. Professor Shuman's work was supported by a grant from M.D. Anderson Foundation. Anthony Champagne is Professor of Government and Politics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas. Elizabeth Whitaker is Partner, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, Texas. This research was conducted in a class jointly offered for law students at Southern Methodist University and graduate students in political economy at the University of Texas at Dallas, taught by Professors Shuman and Champagne with the assistance of Elizabeth Whitaker. The student authors are Kimberley Alton, Polly A. Bond, Elizabeth Bonesio, Angela Brackbill, Kyle Cheek, Jill McKibben, Nick DePanfilis, Charla Cook-Truett, Christi Dickson, Michael Eaton, Shelley Ferguson, Robyn Frohlin, Nora Gay, Jorge Luis Gomez, Michael Hawk, Brenda Hicks, Brenda Inman, Dolores Mongelli, Erin A. Nealy, Martha Newhouse, Clement Osimetha, Jayne Randleman, and Brent Yowell. FALL 1996

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