Role of forensic and medical sciences in the investigation prevention torture and other ill-treatment 2014, para. 50
Paragraph- Paragraph text
- In addition, criterion for considering an expert opinion as evidence is that the person providing the opinion is in fact an expert. If the author is accepted as an expert, the probative value of the opinion will depend on the degree of certainty that the court attaches to the opinion in comparison to the existence of supporting or conflicting expert opinions. The process of analysis and the conclusions must be clear and logical and the expert must possess certain qualifications ensuring the rendering of an informed and reasoned conclusion. As a legal principle, an expert report on torture, its relevance and reliability should be weighed and assessed in the same manner as any other evidence. Where the expertise of a witness is not in doubt, there must be clear grounds for rejecting the expert's testimony or report. However, an expert's opinion is only as relevant and reliable as the circumstances surrounding its development and the information upon which it is based. For instance, if the underlying medical and psychological documentation on which the expert's opinion is based do not appear credible, the expert's report may be given no weight. Therefore, objective supporting evidence (for example, X-rays) can be crucial in determining the reliability of the expert opinion. If an expert report is available it must be taken into account and, if rejected, reasons must be given.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
- Paragraph type
- Other
- Paragraph number
- 50
sorted by
Date added
78 relationships, 78 entities