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On his website, document examination expert witness Richard T. Picciochi answers the following question:

How can attorneys make sure a handwriting examiner is really a scientist?

Scientific training is the most suitable basic qualification. When selecting a handwriting or document examiner consider if he or she has a science degree or foundation in one of the physical, natural, or forensic sciences from an accredited university. Specialized training, comprehensive apprenticeship, continuing education, professional affiliations, certification and peer group testing are equally important as well as research, publications and teaching in the field.

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Dan Cook, a commercial real estate developer, filed a complaint in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, PA, alleging that borough officials lost nearly all of his evidence. Of the 38 pages of expert witness testimony and exhibits as part of a request for a zoning change, 35 pages of original documents are missing, said Easton attorney Brian Monahan, who represents Cook.

“I’ve spent a whole lot of money producing evidence. They were the custodian of it, and now it’s gone. That would upset anyone,” said Dan Cook on Monday.

Read more: phillyburbs.com.

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In Get with IT: Once More Into the Breach, Kevin Beaver, information security expert witness with Principle Logic, LLC, writes:

Imagine the scenario: Your network has been penetrated and sensitive data has been exposed. From a public relations mess, to an expensive forensics analysis, to improper handling of breach notifications, to those affected – everything that could have possibly gone wrong has taken place in the aftermath of the breach.

Soon thereafter, your clients and business partners discover what was going on and you end up getting sued. The expert witness for the plaintiff’s attorneys has provided guidance as to what could have been done to prevent this data breach – the systems and controls that should have been in place – as well as how things should have been handled once the breach was detected.

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Insurance expert witnesses may write reports and testify on property insurance, insurance regulations, casualty insurance, and related topics. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has told Congress that there is insufficient insurance expertise on the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

Adequate representation of insurance regulators on the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) is key to financial stability, Missouri Insurance Director John Huff told Congress April 14th. Speaking on behalf of the NAIC, Huff testified before the House Committee on Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

“Our regulatory system requires regulators to work collaboratively and share information with one another in confidential settings. Yet to date, I have been restricted from consulting with my fellow insurance regulators on matters before FSOC,” testified Huff.

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Jonathan Taylor testified in Congress as an agriculture expert witness and spoke on regulatory impediments to job creation in the Northeast. Taylor serves on the state board of directors for New York Farm Bureau. He is well-versed about the impact of costly regulations on agriculture and jobs, NYFB officials said.

American farmers compete in a global marketplace and the U.S. farms are at a disadvantage because of the regulatory costs they face compared to foreign farms “who do not have to tolerate such rigorous and expensive regulations,” Taylor told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending.

Read more: thedailynewsonline.com.

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On his website, document examination expert witness Richard T. Picciochi answers the following questions:

How can forensic document examiners help attorneys?

A forensic document examiner (FDE) can assist clients by resolving a variety of disputed signature, handwriting and document problems including contested wills, deeds, contracts, mortgages, insurance forms, nuptial agreements, forged checks and altered medical records. An FDE can offer oral or written opinions, provide litigation support and testify as an expert witness.

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Trucking expert witnesses may write reports and opine on the truck manufacturing industry, qualifications of truck drivers, and federal motor vehicle safety standards, as well as related issues. On its website the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers trucking rulemakings and notices including a Department of Transportation proposed safety regulation that would specifically prohibit interstate commercial truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

“Every time a commercial truck or bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a cell phone, even for a few seconds, the driver places everyone around them at risk,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This proposed rule will go a long way toward keeping a driver’s full attention focused on the road.”

The proposed Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule would prohibit commercial drivers from reaching for, holding or dialing a cell phone while operating a CMV. Drivers who violate these restrictions would face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for multiple offenses. Additionally, states would suspend a driver’s CDL after two or more violations of any state law on hand-held cell phone use.

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Interstate motor carrier operations expert witnesses may write reports and opine on the trucking industry, trucking and transportation rules and regulations, and related topics. On April 8th, the U.S. Department of Transportation released the details of a proposed, phased long-haul, cross-border trucking program between the United States and Mexico. The proposed new program prioritizes safety, while satisfying the United States’ international obligations. It also builds upon the progress announced by Presidents Obama and Calderon in early March.

After the previous program was terminated in March 2009, Secretary LaHood and other Administration officials met with lawmakers, safety advocates, industry representatives and other stakeholders to address a broad range of concerns. DOT has continued that dialogue and has taken concerns raised into account as it has worked with Mexico to develop a new program.

Click here to view the Federal Register notice.

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JurisPro Inc. is a professional marketing company that maintains a free online directory of expert witnesses for the legal community. Through www.JurisPro.com, legal professionals can find and properly retain a qualified expert, evaluate an expert to whom they were referred, or learn information about an opponent’s expert.

Are you an expert? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to list with JurisPro, the site that is receiving over 1 million page views and almost 500,000 visitors from the legal community each year. A Google search for any of the 588 categories you may list with on JurisPro, returns 99.7% of those categories on the first page of Google search results.

Testimonials from experts listed with JurisPro include:

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Law firms in Australia are alarmed by the potential impact a UK Supreme Court decision could have on the way expert witnesses are treated in Australian courts. Slater & Gordon partner Bill Madden argues the March decision in Jones v Kaney in London could open up the door to medical and other expert witnesses who are negligent in their testimony being sued. “The decision marks a significant shift away from the protection medical experts are given in UK and Australian courts,” Madden said.

Read more: thenewlawyer.com.