Established Principles for (non) Admissibility of Scientific Expert Evidence and their application in Pakistan

Abstract

The modern devices and techniques have underpinned the legal actors to work together with scientific and technological experts as the litigation of criminal activities no more depends on the traditional methods of production and presentation of evidence alone. The relevancy of scientific and technological expert evidence is even more challenging task than it has been ever. The professional career of lawyers and the judges involves as a routine to discuss the scientific and technological expert testimony in their respective roles. This article endorses the importance of scientific expert testimony and lays down the critical analysis of legal regime relating to scientific expert evidence in Pakistan. The discussion into established principles for the admissibility highlights the importance of role of judges in this realm and underscores the need to adopt best practices to evaluate the reliability and validity of scientific expert evidence.