Which of the following is NOT an ethical consideration for an expert witness?

Which of the following is NOT an ethical consideration for an expert witness?

• A. Personal gain
• B. Honesty
• C. Impartiality
• D. Full disclosure

Answer: (A)

Ethical conduct for expert witnesses hinges on honesty, impartiality, and full disclosure. An expert must present findings truthfully, remain neutral, and reveal any factors that could affect the analysis or its interpretation. Personal gain, on the other hand, runs counter to these duties; pursuing personal benefit could bias testimony and undermine the integrity of the process, so it isn’t an ethical consideration to strive toward. The other items—honesty, impartiality, and full disclosure—are precisely the ethical expectations that guide testimony: tell the truth about methods and results, avoid bias, and disclose limitations or conflicts that might influence the analysis.

Ethical conduct for expert witnesses hinges on honesty, impartiality, and full disclosure. An expert must present findings truthfully, remain neutral, and reveal any factors that could affect the analysis or its interpretation. Personal gain, on the other hand, runs counter to these duties; pursuing personal benefit could bias testimony and undermine the integrity of the process, so it isn’t an ethical consideration to strive toward. The other items—honesty, impartiality, and full disclosure—are precisely the ethical expectations that guide testimony: tell the truth about methods and results, avoid bias, and disclose limitations or conflicts that might influence the analysis.