Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports

The Department has developed a number of guidance documents governing the testimony and reports of its forensic experts. These documents, known as “Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports,” or ULTR documents, are designed to provide guidance on the submission of scientific statements by the Department’s forensic examiners when drafting reports or testifying. The Department regularly updates ULTRs to ensure they reflect scientific innovations, forensic practices, and legal changes. The Department has reviewed the 2023 amendments to Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence relating to expert testimony and, consistent with the advisory note that “[n]othing in the amendment imposes any new, specific procedures,” concluded that no changes to the ULTRs are required.

Approved ULTR for the Forensic Anthropology Discipline (effective 3.1.21)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic Anthropology Discipline (effective 1.24.19 to 2.28.21)

Approved ULTR for General Forensic Chemistry and Seized Drug Examinations (effective 9.9.19)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic Document Examination (effective 7.5.21)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Autosomal DNA with Probabilistic Genotyping (effective 12.12.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Autosomal DNA with Probabilistic Genotyping (effective 3.18.19 to 12.11.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Mitochondrial DNA (effective 12.12.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Mitochondrial DNA (effective 3.18.19 to 12.11.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Y-STR DNA (effective 12.12.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic DNA Discipline – Y-STR DNA (effective 3.18.19 to 12.11.22)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic Firearms/Toolmarks Discipline – Fracture Examination (effective 8.16.23)

Approved ULTR for the Forensic Firearms/Toolmarks Discipline – Fracture Examination (effective 8.15.20 to 8.15.23)