Opinion ID: 526146
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Bruise Issue

Text: 20 At trial, Dr. Park testified that the bruise was most likely caused by pressure ... poking with the tip of the gun against the chest wall. Dr. Park supported this likelihood with testimony that the rifle barrel, measuring 1.5 centimeters in diameter, was consistent with the bruise, measuring 1.5 by 1.2 centimeters. In further support, Dr. Park testified that the bruise was also in close proximity to the bullet's entry point. In concluding, Dr. Park stated that it [was] safe to assume that bruise probably happened at the same time or prior to the [shooting]. 21 Reyes, however, contends that Dr. Park's testimony concerning the cause of the bruise was speculative because Dr. Park could not establish when the bruise was inflicted in relation to the shooting. 7 In support of his contention, Reyes argues, citing United States v. Vretta, 790 F.2d 651 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 851, 107 S.Ct. 179, 93 L.Ed.2d 115 (1986) and Fitzgerald v. Manning, 679 F.2d 341 (4th Cir.1982), that the opinion testimony on causation of a medical expert must be stated in terms of a reasonable degree of medical certainty. 22 We note that, while the cases cited by appellant only inferentially support his proposition, appellant's position does have some merit. See, e.g., State v. Holt, 17 Ohio St.2d 81, 85, 246 N.E.2d 365, 367 (Ohio 1969); Martin v. United States, 284 F.2d 217, 218 (D.C.Cir.1960); State v. Bounds, 716 S.W.2d 458, 460 (Mo.Ct.App.1986). 8 We have never had occasion to decide whether expert testimony on causation in the context of a criminal trial must be based on a reasonable degree of medical certainty. We need not decide this issue now, for we find that, although Dr. Park did not use the words reasonable degree of medical certainty in his testimony, the record amply demonstrates that he based his testimony on the substantive equivalent thereof. 23 Reyes also challenges the admissibility of the bruise testimony on the grounds of relevancy in light of the fact that Dr. Park was unable to establish exactly when the bruise occurred. We note, however, that Reyes was charged with criminal homicide, which requires a specific intent to kill. 9 The fact that the bruise was probably caused by the poking of a gun barrel against the decedent is highly relevant to this issue. The jury could reasonably conclude that such poking was a threat, and thus the act would be relevant even if it occurred as much as twenty-four hours before the shooting. 24 Finally, Reyes maintains, citing United States v. Marshall, 526 F.2d 1349 (9th Cir.1975), cert. denied, 426 U.S. 923, 96 S.Ct. 2631, 49 L.Ed.2d 376 426 U.S. 923, (1976), that Guam, as the proponent of evidence based upon expert testimony, had the burden of laying a proper foundation showing the underlying scientific basis and reliability of the expert's testimony. In Marshall the District Court refused to allow the defendant to introduce polygraph test results. In affirming the District Court, we stated: Because the polygraph has yet to gain general judicial recognition, the proponent of such evidence has the burden of laying a proper foundation showing the underlying scientific basis and reliability of the expert's testimony. Marshall, 526 F.2d at 1360 (citation omitted). In the instant case, Dr. Park's analysis was based on his own specialized training and skills made in conjunction with his examination of the decedent at the crime scene and the ensuing autopsy. Unlike the polygraph, these methods of analysis based upon medical examination have long received general judicial recognition. 25 The admissibility of expert testimony is governed by 6 Guam Code Ann. Sec. 702, which reads as follows: 26 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. 10 27 Admission of Dr. Park's expert testimony concerning the bruise was consistent with the terms of Sec. 702. Dr. Park had been Chief Medical Examiner of Guam for thirteen years at the time he performed the autopsy on the decedent. As a regular part of his duties he performed autopsies to determine the final cause and manner of death. The size, shape, location, and color of the bruise are all factors that Dr. Park was better able and qualified to evaluate than the jury. Dr. Park's testimony was of substantial assistance to the jury in understanding the probable relationship between the bruise and the rifle. Accordingly, it was not an abuse of discretion nor manifest error to permit Dr. Park's bruise testimony. 28