Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Do not misrepresent documents/medical literature in the Court of Law

Medical Testimony of Doctor in the Court of Law (Contd.)

Do not misrepresent documents/medical literature in the Court of Law

When evidence is read into the record of a trial, only that portion of the document which validates the information being discussed needs to be read aloud. One paragraph or even one part of a paragraph may be all that is necessary to substantiate the point you are making. Documents must be presented in the words of the author. When you paraphrase evidence, you argue in a circle. Reading the remainder of the document, even if it establishes a context for the evidence, is unnecessary and time–consuming. When a document is cut in a manner which lends the quoted passage a meaning other than what would be derived from a more complete reading, you are misrepresenting the document. This does not mean, however, that you are responsible for drawing the same conclusions from information as the author of the document.

Drawing a contrary conclusion from passages accurately interpreted does not constitute misrepresentation. The fact that the author of the document reached a different conclusion from the information argues perhaps persuasively against your conclusion. However, you have not misused the evidence.