What is a ‘Drug Expert Witness’
A ‘Drug Expert Witness’ is a professional person who has specialised knowledge and experience related to the illicit use, production, trafficking and or supply of controlled substances. Further to this Drug Experts will also possess other drug related knowledge such as the interpretation of slang terminology, subcultural uses and the valuation of illicit substances in illegal markets. In legal cases, Drug Experts are utilised to provide the court with expert testimony on these topics which in turn assist the courts understand complex drug-related evidence and make informed decisions.
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A drug expert witness can come from various professional backgrounds, including pharmacology, toxicology, medicine, or law enforcement. Their role is to provide independent, impartial and unbiased opinions in order to clarify complex drug-related topics that are typically beyond the general knowledge of the average person or juror.
Here are some key aspects of their role:
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Expertise: They possess advanced knowledge in their field, often holding advanced degrees, certifications. Further to this they might have attended training in relation to a niche drugs topic or they might have experience in drug research, clinical practice, forensic analysis or have a law enforcement background where they have first hand experience of handling controlled drugs or interacting with drug users, drug dealers or in some cases international drug traffickers.
Testimony: They provide independent, impartial and unbiased opinions and explanations based on their expertise and experience. This might involve explaining where certain drugs originate from, how they are manufactured and then transported (locally or globally) before being broken down into smaller street deal amounts, ready for onward supply.
Case Application: In criminal cases, they will be asked to comment on the drug commodities seized, their potency and overall value at both wholesale and street level. Further to this they may also be asked to discuss the relevance of other key evidence in the case such as equipment used to produce controlled drugs (hydroponic plant growing equipment for example) or other drug paraphernalia such as cutting agents, scales, drugs packaging, weapons, large quantities of cash or other high value items.
Credibility: Drug Experts will usually provide their opinions in a report, if the court require further explanation, they may be called to provide oral testimony to further assist with understanding technical details such as ranks and roles within a drugs supply chain and therefore enable the court to make informed decisions. Their credibility is crucial, and they must be able to convey complex information clearly and accurately in terms that everyone can understand.
Peer review: When reviewing evidence in the case this is done independently, regardless of whom the experts is paid or instructed by. To ensure that our members produce the highest quality reports, with the highest levels of credibility, all DEWVA members are expected to submit their reports for a peer review. This ensures that what has been produced is quality assured and validated by an independent third party and that any opinions offered are ethical and fair.
Overall, a drug expert witness plays a critical role in ensuring that drug-related evidence is interpreted correctly and that fair and proper justice is served in legal proceedings.
DEWVA Membership
Our doors are open to those interested in joining our growing community. As a Drug Expert Witness & Valuation Association member, you’ll have exposure to a vibrant network along with a wealth of knowledge and experience you can’t find anywhere else. Our community is tight-knit, but incredibly welcoming. If you’re a practicing Law enforcement drug expert but not already a member, send us an email via our Contact Us page and we’ll put you in touch with your regional coordinator. Membership is strictly limited to Law Enforcement with a secure email address.
Associate Membership:
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For those outside of the UK, but within a Law Enforcement organisation, we welcome your expertise, experience and associate membership. Whether you are a practicing drug expert or drug valuation officer, provided you have a secure email network and can satisfy the strict requirements of the DEWVA membership criteria, we would welcome your application to join.
Simply send us an email via our Contact Us page and we will be in touch.