Opinion ID: 853198
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Object to Expert's Qualifications

Text: Laine testified that she was employed by the Indiana State Police as a Forensic Serologist and Hair Analyst, that she held an associate degree and a bachelor of science degree, that she attended an eighteen-week State Police training program for hair analysis, that she had passed the required proficiency tests, that she had attended the FBI Academy of Hairs and Fibers, and that she belonged to the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists. Although the question of Laine's qualification was never presented directly to the trial court, the court was within its discretion to conclude that Laine was qualified to provide expert testimony. There was no violation of Indiana Evidence Rule 702. Had Wentz's counsel objected to her qualifications, the result would have been the same. Thus, Wentz fails to demonstrate either substandard performance or prejudice from his counsel's failure to object. Cf. Willsey v. State, 698 N.E.2d 784, 794 (Ind.1998) (When a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is based on counsel's failure to object, the defendant must show that a proper objection would have been sustained.).