Opinion ID: 1232054
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: morris' familiarity with fisher scientific

Text: Billy contends that Morris was not qualified to testify because he was not personally familiar with Fisher Scientific, the source of the standards used by the R.J. Lee Group. A standard is a known substance, like copper or lead, with a known amount being analyzed. Morris' company obtained the standards from Fisher Scientific. Billy does not argue that Morris' reasoning or methodology was invalid or unreliable, or that it could not properly be applied to facts in issue. Morris testified extensively at trial about his background and qualifications concerning gunshot residue analysis. As part of the analysis, Morris' company uses standards to confirm that their instruments are operating correctly. By using a standard consisting of a known substance with a known amount, Morris is able to verify the instrument's accuracy for gunshot residue. Neb.Rev.Stat. §27-702 (Reissue 1995) governs the admissibility of expert testimony. It 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. Under §27-702, a witness can testify concerning scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge only if the witness is qualified as an expert. Whether a witness is qualified as an expert is a preliminary question for the trial court. Carlson v. Okerstrom, 267 Neb. 397, 675 N.W.2d 89 (2004). 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. Under Neb.Rev.Stat. §27-703 (Reissue 1995): The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to him at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence. Thus, firsthand knowledge is not always required as the only source of information for an expert's opinion. See State v. Pruett, 263 Neb. 99, 638 N.W.2d 809 (2002). The Nebraska Court of Appeals has noted that an expert does not need to have additional expertise in the science or theory underlying instruments used in his or her field. That the expert is trained to operate a device is sufficient foundation for admitting evidence produced by the device. See, State v. Ford, 1 Neb.App. 575, 501 N.W.2d 318 (1993), citing State v. Estill, 13 Kan.App.2d 111, 764 P.2d 455 (1988). Courts have also held that a certification of calibration solution used in blood-alcohol testing is unnecessary to establish foundation for the admissibility of the test. See Barna v. Commissioner of Public Safety, 508 N.W.2d 220 (Minn.App.1993). Thus, it is unnecessary that Morris be personally familiar with the manner in which Fisher Scientific manufactures or supplies calibration substances or standards. It is enough that Morris is qualified to operate the devices and interpret the results. Here, Morris testified about his personal knowledge of gunshot residue testing and his qualifications and ability to accurately perform the tests. Had Billy wished to challenge the test's accuracy based on a theory that the quality control substances were inaccurate, he could have explored that theory through cross-examination. The court did not err by allowing Morris to testify as an expert witness.