"Normally when we think of evidence in court, we think of eyewitnesses, DNA or police reports. Often, this evidence requires an expert to explain it – to be able to communicate the findings and data to the members of the court to make an informed decision. These experts are typically in medicine, engineering, psychology, or other fields.

Expert astronomers usually are not what one pictures in court, but that is exactly what I do.

The first time I was asked by police to do it came as a bit of a surprise. I had never thought about applying astronomy to the courtroom. Once the first group knew I can do it, more and more requests came in, from colleagues in the same police force or division, or investigators having seen my evidence elsewhere." #science #astronomy #legal #courts #ExpertWitness #Expertise #Moon #Sun #traffic #roads #RoadSafety

Where was the Sun? Here's why astronomers are more useful in court cases than you'd think https://theconversation.com/where-was-the-sun-heres-why-astronomers-are-more-useful-in-court-cases-than-youd-think-204276

My thanks to the organisers of the 12th China Congress on #ForensicLinguistics for inviting me to speak on the subject of #ExpertWitness. I would have liked to have been there in person, but online was good 🙂
Looking forward to seeing some of the delegates again in Manila in July 2023.