Daubert standard
Pronunciation: /ˈdɔːbərt/
Federal evidentiary standard for admissibility of scientific expert testimony requiring judicial gatekeeping.
Full Definition
The legal standard established in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals requiring federal judges to serve as gatekeepers for scientific evidence by assessing whether expert testimony is based on reliable scientific methodology. The standard considers factors including whether the theory or technique can be tested, has been peer-reviewed, has a known error rate, and has gained general acceptance in the relevant scientific community. This replaced the previous Frye standard and requires judges to actively evaluate the scientific validity of proposed expert testimony rather than simply deferring to general acceptance in the field.
Usage
Usage note: Applies in federal courts and states that have adopted the standard; some states still use Frye.
In Context
- "The court applied the Daubert standard to exclude unreliable psychological test evidence." — Judicial ruling
- "Expert witnesses must ensure their methodology meets Daubert requirements before testifying." — Expert witness preparation