A witness who has scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge to help the jury understand evidence is called what?

• A. Lay Witness
• B. Expert Witness
• C. Character Witness
• D. Percipient Witness

Answer: (B)

An expert is someone who has specialized knowledge—scientific, technical, or otherwise—that helps the jury understand evidence that goes beyond common sense. This person may offer opinions and explanations based on their education, training, and experience, and they can interpret data, test results, or complex concepts so the trier of fact can make sense of the issue at hand.

In contrast, a lay witness describes what they personally observed or experienced and may not provide opinions on specialized matters. A character witness speaks to a person’s character rather than technical issues. A percipient witness is a person who perceives events and testifies about what they saw, heard, or felt, without offering expert analysis.

Because the scenario describes someone with scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge who aids the jury, the correct role is the expert witness.