Opinion ID: 1230162
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: bill gartside

Text: In this assignment of error, Duncan argues that the district court erred in finding, over Duncan's objection, that Gartside was an expert witness in the field of hair analysis and in receiving his testimony into evidence. Duncan claims that [t]he only evidence that Gartside was an expert in the area of hair analysis was his own claim to expertise. Brief for appellant at 42. Duncan also claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel to the extent that trial counsel failed to object to any portion of Gartside's testimony under rules 401, 402, 403, and 702. The admission of expert testimony is ordinarily within the discretion of the trial court, and its ruling will be upheld in the absence of an abuse of discretion. State v. Buechler, 253 Neb. 727, 572 N.W.2d 65 (1998). Four preliminary questions must be answered in order to determine whether an expert's testimony is admissible: (1) whether the witness qualifies as an expert pursuant to rule 702; (2) whether the expert's testimony is relevant; (3) whether the expert's testimony will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or determine a controverted factual issue; and (4) whether the expert's testimony, even though relevant and admissible, should be excluded in light of rule 403. State v. Thieszen, 252 Neb. 208, 560 N.W.2d 800 (1997). Whether a witness is qualified as an expert is a preliminary question for the trial court. State v. Campbell, 260 Neb. 1021, 620 N.W.2d 750 (2001). A trial court is allowed discretion in determining whether a witness is qualified to testify as an expert, and unless the court's finding is clearly erroneous, such a determination will not be disturbed on appeal. Id. A person may qualify as an expert by virtue of either formal training or actual practical experience in the field. Id. Gartside testified that he has worked as a criminologist in the DNA serology section of the Nebraska State Patrol laboratory since January 1997. In that capacity, Gartside examines evidence for blood, body fluids, and hairs; analyzes that evidence; and writes reports and testifies in court as necessary. He received a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York and has taken graduate level classes at the University of Nebraska in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry. Gartside testified that he has received specialized training in his field from the FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and others and has authored a number of published articles and papers related to his work. Gartside also stated that he has testified as an expert witness in the area of blood, DNA, and hair analysis on multiple occasions. Gartside described the procedures used to examine hair, including macroscopic and microscopic techniques, and testified that those procedures are recognized in the scientific community as valid. Gartside also testified that at the time of trial, he was the only hair examiner at the State Patrol laboratory. He estimated that he had probably looked at thousands of hairs in his career. Given this testimony, the district court was not clearly erroneous in finding that Gartside was qualified to testify as an expert witness in the field of hair analysis. We have previously recognized the utility of scientific hair analysis in criminal cases. State v. Harrison, 218 Neb. 532, 357 N.W.2d 201 (1984). Gartside's testimony that several of the hairs found in Bennett's home were consistent with a sample of hairs obtained from Duncan's dogs could assist the jury in determining if Duncan were guilty of Bennett's murder. The district court did not abuse its discretion in receiving Gartside's testimony, and trial counsel's failure to object to any portion of Gartside's testimony did not deprive Duncan of effective assistance of counsel. This assignment of error is without merit.