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person is admissible in evidence, the grounds on which the opinion is based are also
admissible. 143

The evidence of an expert may be used as prima facie evidence in ay proceedings 144 .

Dominica

Any document purporting to be a report under the hand of the government analytical chemist,
government assistant analytical chemist, government pathologist, government bacteriologist or

medical practitioner about any person, matter or thing submitted to the person for examination
may be used as prima facie evidence in the proceedings. 145 When examining such a report,

Magistrates must ensure all signatures are genuine and that the writer of such a report held the

qualification or office claimed at the time of signing. Magistrates and the prosecution and the
defence may during cross examination summon a party to attend court however where the

magistrate has not requested the party to attend court, any party requesting the expert is required
to pay all costs occasioned by having been so called. 146

Examples of expert witnesses include a registered medical practitioner giving an opinion about
the health of the victim or the accused or a registered forensic ballistics expert giving an opinion

about the fragments relating to firearms at a crime scene.

Grenada

Where the Court has to form an opinion upon a point of foreign law, or of science or art, or as to
identity or genuineness of handwriting, the opinions on that point of persons specially skilled in

those areas or in questions as to identity or genuineness of handwriting are relevant facts. Such

persons are called experts. 147

143 Belize – Evidence Act Cap. 95, section 49
144 Belize – Evidence Act Cap. 95, section 36
145 Dominica – Evidence Ordinance, sections 13(1)(3)
146 Dominica – Evidence Ordinance, section 13(3)
147 Grenada – Evidence Act Cap. 92, section 43
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