October Term 2010 · Docket 09-10876
Must the specific analyst who created a forensic report testify at trial?
The dispute centers on whether the Confrontation Clause requires the specific lab analyst who generated a forensic report to testify, or if another analyst can present the results.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Jeffrey Fisher argued that the Confrontation Clause text and history support his position.
Fisher stated that the prosecution cannot introduce one person's statements through another.
Fisher cited the Melendez-Diaz decision to support the testimonial nature of lab reports.
The state's advocate argued that police interrogations differ from forensic report creation.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-41
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of the Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses. the side that brought the case argues that only the analyst who created the report can testify. The state argues that any qualified analyst can present the findings.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2011.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to rule that only the specific analyst who created the report can testify.
The state wants the Court to allow any qualified analyst to present the forensic results.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues that the Confrontation Clause bars one person from testifying about another person's testimonial statements.
The state argues that the report is not a product of structured interrogation and does not require the original creator.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if video conferencing would satisfy the presence requirement for testimony.
Justice Kennedy asked if one analyst could testify if two people performed the exam together.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-41
Why it matters
This issue determines how states must present forensic evidence in criminal trials. It affects the resources required to prove scientific findings. It shapes the practical application of the right to confront witnesses.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-5 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 49-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 31-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 5-23 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 5-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 5-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 5-45
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.