A152810

The trial court erred in finding a defense expert was unqualified to testify regarding the psychological testing of appellant for “susceptibility to false confession.” The proposed expert was a practicing psychologist whose testimony, the A.G. argued, did not demonstrate an expertise in police interrogation techniques. The Court of Appeal determined that there is no requirement that a witness be a “researcher or nationally recognized authority” to testify as an expert on a given subject. Further, the court found that neither the trial court nor respondent explained how an ability to interpret the results of the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales test depends on an expertise in police interrogation tactics. And, in any event, the testimony of the witness showed he did have some knowledge of interrogation techniques.

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