Opinion ID: 1704603
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Should Luke have been allowed to testify about whether particular rivets were factory originals or homemade?

Text: ¶ 34. The most visible place in which a vehicle identification number (VIN) can be found is on a vehicle's dash board under the inspection sticker. As an expert in vehicle identification, Luke is obviously familiar with this location. At trial, he testified that the VIN plate located on the dash board is attached to the vehicle with stainless steel rosette rivets which are put into place with an air rivet gun that has a certain thousand pound pressure. He further explained that using these particular rivets and this particular air rivet gun has been a trademark of General Motors since 1968. The specificity of this testimony illustrates that Luke possessed specialized knowledge with regard to rivets, thereby qualifying him to testify as an expert on the topic. Accordingly, the trial court did not commit a clear abuse of discretion in allowing Luke to testify about rivets.