Court Opinion

ID: 9854677
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:11:21.982954+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:23:13.332594
License: Public Domain

Banke, Judge.
The appellant was convicted of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sodomy, and burglary. An expert witness testified concerning the identification of blood samples based on a procedure known as electrophoresis. In his sole enumeration of error, the appellant complains that the trial court erred in allowing the witness to testify concerning the statistical or mathematical probability of certain enzymes being found in the blood of the general population. The witness testified that his statistics were derived from some 2,000 blood samples seen in his lab over a period of time and that his statistics coincided with those provided by other crime laboratories, including that of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Held:
“The opinions of experts on any question of science, skill, trade, or like questions shall always be admissible; and such opinions may be given on the facts as proved by other witnesses.” OCGA § 24-9-67 (Code Ann. § 38-1710). The testimony complained of was clearly within the area of the witness’ expertise, and the appellant’s objection to it went to its weight rather than its admissibility. See generally Jenkins v. State, 156 Ga. App. 387 (274 SE2d 618) (1980); Breland v. State, 134 Ga. App. 259 (214 SE2d 186) (1975).

Judgment affirmed.

Carley,J., concurs in the majority opinion only. Deen, P. J., concurs specially.