Opinion ID: 1999621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Qualifications of ballistics witness.

Text: A witness from the state crime laboratory was called by the state to testify that the bullet found in the body of Mrs. Broomell was fired from the gun defendant had in his possession on the day of the murder. Defendant objected to the qualifications of this witness. The area of competency of an expert witness is generally left to the trial court. Doelger & Kirsten v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. (1969), 42 Wis. 2d 518, 524, 167 N. W. 2d 198. Defendant contends the fact that the witness studied under only one person, knew little of recent literature on the subject of ballistics, and did not reveal his academic training in the area demonstrates that the trial court erred in allowing him to testify. However, the record reveals that the witness had great experience in the field of ballistics. This experience was sufficient for the trial court to permit him to render an expert opinion.