California Surveyors Forums

The Federal Trial Judge who wrote the Marriage decision gives a very good discussion on what makes an expert credible. Just reading from books is not expert testimony. The information has to be applied in a reasoned manner to the facts of the case. The Feds use the Daubert standard. I've had some training on the fire investigation side too.

Thanks for sharing!

Dave, I think a lot of people misunderstand what experts do and the various roles they fill. There are many facets to that side of the profession. Thanks for the comments.

All right, let's back up Mr. Pallamary.
1. Measurement is Dead: I support your thesis one zillion percent. It is sad. It makes me think about he future of the engineering profession, and the medical profession. Of course the legal profession is undoubtedly preserved. Robots can argue with robots to infinity. Your article in my opinion does nothing to advocate the land surveyor. The role of GIS is not mentioned in your article to my recollection. Your article pits expert against practitioner, or otherwise known as the common licensed professional, your non-expert.
2. Cases like Wells Harbor or Delta Meadows are examples in our world that should give us insight into how the courts could deal with psychiatric evaluations of the accused in dramatic murder cases, or such alike. Psychiatrists on both sides are no doubt telling the truth. Right? It is all about the spin. When the rookie has it right, the old bull has to come up with something to attack that rookie's approach, look for a slip-up in the method. Snake oil.
3. I'm not to be kidded about this. I do not have bad experiences in litigation yet. In fact my experiences have been quite the opposite. It is amazing how research and diligence can beat "expert opinion", especially that of those hired guns.
4. Jeffrey Dahmer had his team of expert witnesses. Who's side do you want to be on? You can't hide from the "industry within the industry". Each case has a winner and a loser. Experts on both sides tell the truth. Right? It is about the spin. Attorneys argue not for truth, but to advocate a point of view. The experts are the pawns in that game. Don't kid me.

You seem to give your non-expert (silly pun) practicing professional land surveyors a brow beating with your article. I'm not having it. You want to dine with the sinners then you sit at the table with the sinners.

I expect your next article to take these thoughts into consideration.

Cheers.

Oh, and Jeff Lucas likes to point out the stupidity of some of the practices conducted by our brethren within this fine profession. Mr. Pallamary, you don't need to scratch that rash and make it fester more than it already does.

Our profession is steeped in malpractice.

My friend, I accept the challenge and will address! I admire your passion and efforts and for that, I am forever grateful. We all should be grateful. I have quite a few stories in the works and will do when I can. I am taking your comments in concert with your other posting about a lot of surveyors being clowns and being poor practitioners. I agree with you.

As an aside numerous people wanted me to speak at the CLSA conference here in San Diego, where I live but the Central Office did not want me to do that for these very same reasons. There is so much CLSA can do but that requires work and change and they are simply not interested. That is too bad as the organization could do so much but won't.

Please remain in the mix. It is good.