Technical Court Expert and Testimony
Course details
2026
| Session(s) | Location | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26-01 English | Ottawa | 2026-06-02 | 2026-06-11 |
| 26-02 English | Ottawa | 2026-11-03 | 2026-11-12 |
| 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
Today, almost every investigation and court proceeding relies on evidence that is either sourced or derived from technology. The need to have expert witnesses that are well prepared and able to explain complex technological concepts to the court has never been more important. In this course, course participants will learn the legal requirements for expert evidence, learn how to draft expert opinion or technical reports specific to an area of expertise, and learn effective communication skills for court testimony. Participants will also have an opportunity to exercise their testimony skills in simulated court proceedings.
Format and delivery
- Length of course
- 8 days
- Class size
- maximum 16 participants
- Delivery setting
- classroom
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 to become an expert
- Draft a Curriculum Vitae and an expert opinion report or technical report
- Describe the legal principles and relevant case law related to expert testimony and sensitive (protected) police tools or techniques
- Gather appropriate documentation and information in preparation for testimony
- Identify cross examination strategies and tactics
- Identify potential technical challenges
- Apply effective communication skills to convey complex technical concepts
- Define the difference between a novel opinion versus an opinion that is scientifically valid
Eligibility and mandatory requirements
This course is offered to:
- police officers and law enforcement personnel of specialized units or sections who may be called as an expert witness to provide technical evidence or to write an expert opinion report or technical report
- examples of specialized units or sections that can benefit from this course includes (but are not limited to) technological crime, cybercrime, online child exploitation, lawful interception, and covert access/intrusion
Registrants will need to submit their CV (for instructor feedback purposes) at least 14 days before the start of the course.
Registrants will need to submit an expert technical opinion report at least 14 days before the start of the course.
Registrants may be provided with a technical analysis report upon which to base their expert technical opinion report. This analysis report will be provided to registrants 6 weeks prior to the start of the course.
Acceptance or refusal in the course is at the discretion of the Canadian Police College.
Assessment
- Success in the course is based on attendance, participation and successful completion of all required assignments and learning evaluations
- Several evaluation methods are used, including an exercise to develop an expert CV, an exercise to enhance an expert report, and a mock trial exercise (to assess testimony improvement)
- Re-testing or re-evaluation is conducted in accordance with the CPC Academic Directives and at the discretion of the Canadian Police College
Contact
For more details or other information about the course, please email cpc_registrar-registraire_ccp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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