Confrontation Clause
Definition
The Sixth Amendment provision in the United States Constitution that guarantees an accused the right to confront witnesses against them. After Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts (2009), forensic laboratory certificates are testimonial statements and the accused may demand the analyst attend court unless the right is waived.
Related terms
- Approved government scientific expert
- A category of scientist whose reports are listed in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 as admissible evidence. The list covers examiners...
- Forensic Science Regulator
- A statutory office in England and Wales, given formal powers by the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021, to set and enforce quality...
- Notice-and-demand
- A procedural mechanism, common in US state courts, under which the prosecution gives advance notice that it intends to use a forensic...
- Section 9 statement (CJA 1967)
- A written statement by a witness, including a forensic examiner, that is admissible in criminal proceedings in England and Wales without the...
- Statutory evidentiary shortcut
- A legislative provision that allows a forensic report or certificate to be admitted as evidence and given weight without the examiner testifying...
Explained in
- The Statutory Role of the Forensic LaboratoryThe Sixth Amendment provision in the United States Constitution that guarantees an accused the right to confront witnesses against them. After Melendez-Diaz v....