Which statement best describes voir dire in the context of expert witnesses?

• A. The judge makes the final decision on admissibility of evidence.
• B. The parties question potential witnesses to determine whether they qualify as experts.
• C. The jury is selected and sworn in.
• D. The court rules on motions to suppress evidence.

Answer: (B)

Voir dire of an expert witness is the process where the parties question a proposed witness to establish whether they have the specialized knowledge, training, education, and experience needed to offer an opinion. The aim is to verify that the witness genuinely qualifies as an expert and can base their opinions on reliable methods and relevant data. This helps ensure that the testimony will be helpful and credible to the fact-finder. It’s not about selecting jurors, suppressing evidence, or the judge’s final ruling on all admissibility—that broader admissibility decision comes later, after considering the expert’s credentials and testimony. In short, this step is about confirming the expert’s qualifications before their opinions are allowed.