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10 <br /> The truth,the whole truth, and nothing but. But can any one person understand <br /> enough about the topic to know what the whole truth is? <br /> When the issue is environmental contamination, environmental regulations, <br /> �- or environmental liability, very few people can. When legal action is taken on <br /> enforcement or permitting, or to resolve liability disputes on an environmental <br /> ' problem, lawyers are called first, and they call the experts. <br /> Expert witnesses are a rare breed of specialist. With their eye on the big picture, <br /> these individuals must also understand the microcosm of each argument, the <br /> technical aspects of the methodology, and the significance of the findings to prove <br /> or disprove each point. Because the facts alone do not always persuade, the expert <br /> witness must also be able to communicate information effectively and convinc- <br /> --• ingly to non-technical lawyers,judges, and jurors so that their decisions will be <br /> ' intelligent ones. And they must carefully weigh the words they use and the <br /> manner in which they convey their testimony so that their words not only provide <br /> the information needed by their clients,but also persuade the judge, lawyers, and <br /> jury. <br /> Scientists and engineers are trained to be objective rather than adversarial in <br /> their work; yet when asked to testify, they will find that they are working for a <br /> client who has a point of view that needs defending. The facts, and the whole <br /> truth, as the scientist sees them may not be what either side or the judge wants to <br /> hear. Nevertheless, it is critical that the witness provide accurate and truthful in- <br /> formation and remain objective in interpreting the findings. An expert who is not <br /> objective quickly loses credibility and may often do more harm to the client than <br /> I good. <br /> Often the most pivotal testimony affecting a court decision is that provided by <br /> an expert witness, but the role of the expert witness is not limited to the court <br /> room. Public hearings, permitting negotiations,early stages of disputes, and fact <br /> gathering by legislatures are other venues in which experts find themselves. <br /> Environmental matters have increasingly become the topic for courtroom drama <br /> as well as for the sometimes quieter informal meetings. <br />,l <br />