NCJ Number
138400
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Dated: (August-October 1992) Pages: 29- 31
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Prosecutors should know how to call in quality expert witnesses on gangs, because testimony by a gang expert can be very effective.
Abstract
Anyone can talk about the general characteristics of gangs, but only those who actually work, monitor, document, and know the inner workings of the gangs can be considered expert. No individual is knowledgeable about all the many types of gangs: prison gangs, motorcycle gangs, street gangs, and racist gangs. Expertise in gangs of a particular geographic area is obtained through day-to-day monitoring of the local gang through personal contact, investigation of cases generated by that gang, and on-the-job training. The expert should be able to testify about the gang composition, membership, hangouts, rivals, boundaries, graffiti, customs, and other characteristics. The expert should also know the gang's most influential members. The detective assigned to monitor, document, and investigate a particular gang is probably the person most qualified to testify as an expert. The prosecutor should consider asking 21 specific questions to satisfy the court that the individual is an expert. 21 questions, illustrations, and 4 reference notes