Opinion ID: 883138
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Testimony of Tom Wahl and Dr. Schanfield

Text: Moore argues that Tom Wahl, who performed the PCR testing procedure for AGTC, is unqualified to perform the PCR testing, and consequently Dr. Schanfield should not have been allowed to render his expert opinion on Mr. Wahl's test results. Moore primarily criticizes the proficiency tests Mr. Wahl conducted, and maintains that the results of the proficiency tests show, among other things, contamination in some test results and an inability to get reproducible results. The District Court allowed Mr. Wahl to testify at trial as to the lab protocols performed and Dr. Schanfield then interpreted the results for the jury. Rule 702, M.R.Evid., governs the testimony of expert witnesses. That rule provides: If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise. The determination of whether a witness is qualified rests within the sound discretion of the trial court, and such a determination will not be disturbed on appeal absent a showing of abuse of discretion. State v. Evans (1991), 247 Mont. 218, 228-29, 806 P.2d 512, 519. The degree or extent of a witnesses' qualifications affects the weight of the expert's testimony, not its admissibility. Evans, 806 P.2d at 519, citing, State v. Martin (1987), 226 Mont. 463, 736 P.2d 477. Furthermore, cross-examination is the shield to guard against unwarranted opinions. Evans, 806 P.2d at 519, citing, Stewart v. Casey (1979), 182 Mont. 185, 193, 595 P.2d 1176, 1180. The record clearly reveals that Mr. Wahl is qualified to testify as an expert witness on the basis of both his educational background and his experience. In fact, Moore's only challenge to Mr. Wahl's qualifications goes to the results of Wahl's proficiency tests, not Mr. Wahl's lack of education, training or experience. We conclude that Moore failed to demonstrate that Mr. Wahl was not qualified as an expert on the basis of the proficiency test results. Moore's challenges to the proficiency testing go to the weight of the evidence, not its admissibility. Even if Moore's argument concerning the error rate of Mr. Wahl's proficiency tests is meant to challenge the reliability of the PCR analysis, this argument would not result in exclusion of the PCR evidence. Under the Daubert test, the error rate is only one factor in the non-exclusive list of factors to be considered in addressing the admissibility question. Bonds, 12 F.3d at 560. We conclude that Moore did not demonstrate that Mr. Wahl's rate of error was unacceptable in the scientific community, or rendered the test results inadmissible. Based on Moore's contention that Mr. Wahl was unqualified to testify, he argues that Dr. Schanfield should not have been able to interpret Mr. Wahl's test results. In light of our conclusion that Mr. Wahl was qualified to perform the PCR testing procedures and that any alleged error in the proficiency tests did not render the testing procedure inadmissible, we conclude that Moore's argument is without merit. Pursuant to Rule 703, M.R.Evid, experts can base their opinions on facts or data perceived by the experts, or made known to them at or before the hearing. In the instant case, the District Court found that Mr. Wahl did not have the qualifications to interpret the PCR analysis results. Therefore, the State introduced evidence concerning the results of the PCR analysis through Dr. Schanfield. As is explained by Imwinkelried, Courtroom Criminal Evidence § 625 (2d ed. 1993), this method is well recognized. For example, a technician operates the X-Ray machine but is not qualified to interpret the results. Similarly, a police officer could qualify as an expert in the operation of a breathalyzer but would not have the requisite expertise to interpret the results. A physician or other expert would have to testify about the relationship between the alcohol content of the breath and the effect on the brain[.] The District Court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Dr. Schanfield to rely on Mr. Wahl's PCR testing procedures in forming his opinion as to the test results.