Chapter 10

How to Testify in Court

• Preparing for trial
• Presenting an appropriate appearance
• Making sure your audience receives the right message
• Being comfortable with your own processes
• Being brief
• Avoiding complexities
• Patiently justifying your actions

As a computer forensic professional, you collect evidence for the sole purpose of discovering the truth. Once you do collect evidence, you must be prepared to present it to someone to convince them of its truth and veracity. Some evidence you collect may be destined only to grace the pages of a summary report to your boss. At other times, you may be asked to testify in court. This chapter covers the basics of how to present yourself and your evidence in a court of law.

All the material covered in this chapter also applies to more informal proceedings, but your ability to present basic evidence matters most in court. Our goal is not to provide legal advice. You can research the specific laws that govern your actions as a witness. This chapter covers only the most important things you need to know to be an effective witness in a courtroom.