Forensic Psychology Students Gain Expert Witness Experience

Forensic Psychology Students Gain Expert Witness Experience

At Sam Houston State University, members of the faculty, staff and student body often come together to support students who are preparing to enter the workforce through experiential learning. One such case is Mary Conroy’s Forensic Psychology course.

Thanks to her collaboration with Gene Roberts, associate dean of students and director of Student Legal and Mediation Services, many students over the years have undergone direct and cross-examination by Roberts and members of the Texas Special Prosecution Unit (TSPU) staff. This stress test is designed to prepare the students to serve as expert witnesses in court; training them to remain calm, explain their diagnoses and defend their professional opinions, all while facing the intense scrutiny of a prosecutor.

While it can be intimidating, the experience has served as a draw for potential students who hear from graduates and upperclassmen about how their peers withstood being cross-examined.

“We want to make the experience as realistic as possible in all circumstances,” Conroy said.

This includes having the students serve as a witness to a case they have fully reviewed in class in a real courtroom full of spectators. With the cross-examinations held in the Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom in the College of Criminal Justice, students, faculty and staff were able to sit in and observe. Among the observers for the latest round of cross-examinations were ambassadors of the Center for Law, Engagement and Politics (LEAP Ambassadors).

One of the LEAP Ambassadors, Michelle Cardenas, relayed her experience observing the cross-examinations through the center’s blog.

“At first, many of us were intrigued just to be part of something so different from our usual experiences,” Cardenas said. “We expected it to be interesting and informative, but we quickly realized it was much more than that. It was a serious and highly structured simulation that gave us a real look into how psychological expertise is challenged in legal settings.”

For Cardenas, the cross-examination was a stand-out moment for the doctoral students, as they were grilled by Roberts on not just their diagnosis and the reasoning behind it, but also their professional publications, academic background and social media presence. Despite the pressure, the students kept their composure and withstood the storm that many prosecutors use to discredit expert witnesses.

Once the last upcoming expert left the stand, the PhD students, LEAP Ambassadors, Roberts and TSPU staff used the end of their time to debrief on the ways that they excelled or struggled. Roberts and the visitors from TSPU provided helpful insights based on their own courtroom experiences, helping the students gain a deeper understanding of the tactics they may encounter in their professional careers.

“Overall, the event was incredibly informative and genuinely engaging. It gave us a deeper understanding of the intersection between psychology and law and highlighted how demanding it is to stand as an expert in a courtroom setting,” Cardenas said. “Roberts and Erin Faseler and her staff at TSPU did a great job facilitating the entire experience, leaving all of us with a new appreciation for the level of preparation and skill this kind of work requires.”