Court Expert and Testimony
Course details
2025
| Session(s) | Location | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-01 English | Ottawa | 2025-04-29 | 2025-05-08 |
| Tuition |
|---|
| $5,825.00 |
Notes
- Accommodations are offered to course participants. Our rooms are subject to availability and the request must be indicated on the course registration form
- Meal plans are offered to course participants. The specific meal plan must be indicated on the course registration form
- Travel grant funding is available to our non-federal law enforcement agencies
2026
| Session(s) | Location | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-01 English | Ottawa | 2026-04-28 | 2026-05-07 |
| Tuition |
|---|
| $6,125.00 |
Notes
- Accommodations are offered to course participants. Our rooms are subject to availability and the request must be indicated on the course registration form
- Meal plans are offered to course participants. The specific meal plan must be indicated on the course registration form
- Travel grant funding is available to our non-federal law enforcement agencies
Description
Recent court cases have shown the need for police expert witnesses to be as prepared as possible when they testify. In this course, participants will:
- Learn the legal requirements for expert evidence
- Learn how to draft curriculum vitae and opinion reports specific to an area of expertise
- Learn effective communication skills for court testimonies
- Examine the importance of confidence when presenting as an expert witness
Note
This course replaces the 2018 Expert Witness - Investigative Techniques Course (EXPWIT)
Format and delivery
- Delivery setting
- This course is presented in person.
- Length of course
- 8 days
- Class size
- 16 participants
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Define the roles and responsibilities of the expert witness
- Outline the process that qualifies a person as an expert
- Draft a curriculum vitae
- Draft an opinion report
- Describe legal principles and relevant case law related to expert testimony
- Apply effective communication skills to deliver testimony
- Identify cross examination strategies and tactics
- Gather appropriate research to prepare for testimony
The course includes a mock trial to allow participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
Eligibility and mandatory requirements
Mandatory requirements:
- Candidates will need to submit their expert cv's 21 days before the start of the course
This course is offered to:
- Law enforcement officers of specialized units or sections who may be asked to provide evidence in court or to write an opinion report
- Civilian members and public service employees who are experts in a specialized field and/or project-based investigation
Acceptance or refusal in the course is at the discretion of the Canadian Police College.
Assessment
- To successfully complete this course, the candidate must fully participate and complete all required assignments
-
The instructor will evaluate participants on their ability to:
- Write a curriculum vitae
- Draft an opinion report
- Testify in a mock trial
- The instructor may conduct re-tests or re-evaluations at their discretion
Contact
For more details or other information about the course, please email cpc_registrar-registraire_ccp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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