An exacting science: the veterinary surgeon as expert witness

THIS article discusses the role of the expert witness in the wider context of the fast‐developing and challenging field of forensic veterinary medicine. Neil Forbes, who has been involved in this field for many years, gives a flavour of what is currently expected and required of the forensic practitioner and discusses moves that are afoot to assure the quality of forensic veterinary work through the establishment of a register of forensic experts.