Esme, an expert witness in an adversarial jurisdiction, is called to the stand by an...

During direct examination, the attorney who calls the witness generally asks nonconfrontational questions designed to present the witness’s background, procedures, findings, and opinions clearly to the fact finder. For expert witnesses, the Fraud Examiners Manual explains that direct examination commonly uses open questions, such as asking the expert to explain the background of the case or the procedures performed. Two-part or compound questions generally should not be used because they can confuse the witness and the fact finder. Leading questions are generally not allowed during direct examination because they suggest the desired answer. Assessment questions are interview questions used to evaluate credibility, not direct-examination questions. Therefore, open questions are the most likely type of questions Esme will be asked.