II. Opinions & Conclusions
A. Valid conclusions call for the application of generally accepted techniques.
B. Tests are designed to disclose facts, and all interpretations shall be consistent with that purpose and shall not knowingly be distorted. Where appropriate to the correct interpretation of a test, experimental controls shall be made.
C. Where tests results are inconclusive or indefinite, any conclusions drawn shall be fully explained.
D. The examiner/expert is unbiased and refuses to be swayed by evidence or matters outside the specific materials under consideration. He/she is immune to suggestion, pressures and coercions inconsistent with the evidence at hand, being interested only in ascertaining facts.
E. When analytical studies have been performed utilizing the results from other expert examiners, such as the medical examiner, firearms examiner, blood spatter examiner, etc., the examiner/expert will not give testimony based on those areas in which he/she is not a recognized expert. Instead he/she will defer such questions to the appropriate expert who provided the data used.
F. Scientific method demands that an individual be aware of his/her own limitations and refuse to extend him/herself beyond them. It is both proper and advisable that the examiner/expert seek knowledge in new fields; he/she will not, however, be hasty to apply such knowledge before having had adequate training and experience.
G. Where analytical study results are capable of being interpreted to the advantage of either side of a case, the examiner/expert will not choose that interpretation favoring the side by which he/she is employed merely as a means of justifying his/her employment.
H. It is both wise and proper that the examiner/expert be aware of the various possible implications of his/her opinions and conclusions and be prepared to weigh them, if called upon to do so. In any case, however, he/she will clearly distinguish between that which may be regarded as scientifically demonstrated fact and that which is speculative.