Extract from Ian Whiffin’s article “5 Best Practices to Master Testifying in Digital Forensics Cases”
Testifying as a digital forensic expert requires more than technical know-how. It demands clarity, composure and preparation. As a digital forensics veteran, I recently shared key lessons from testifying in one of the most high-profile cases of my career: the Karen Read Murder Trial. Whether you’re preparing for local court or national scrutiny, the following best practices will help you elevate your impact in the courtroom. You can read them below and/or watch this video where I talk about them more in depth with my colleague Heather Barnhart (and we also have a little fun responding to what was a lot of misinformation and noise on social media).
1. Know Your Evidence and Know It Deeply
The cornerstone of any expert testimony is your ability to explain the evidence confidently and clearly. It’s not enough to point to an artifact. You need to understand the full story behind it. How was it created? What app or user action caused it? Was it deleted, altered or system-generated?
