Suggested Questions to Ask Expert in Dog Tracking Examination:

[These questions assume the dog was a bloodhound. Modify the questions if the dog is of a different breed, and ensure that the witness testifies about the breed's reputation for "acuteness of scent and power of discrimination."]

The Fire and Arson Investigation Unit of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation can assist in the investigation of fires and may classify the cause of a fire as: (i) natural; (ii) accidental; (iii) intentional; or (iv) undetermined. Investigators can use scent-detecting dogs and confirmatory lab testing to identify the presence of any accelerants that were used to start the fire, and may assist local law enforcement with investigating intentional fires. 

When a defendant charged with an offense such as homicide or assault claims that he or she was acting in self-defense, the defense may seek to offer testimony from an expert witness on the issue of “use of force.” Such an expert might be asked to give an opinion on whether it was reasonable for the defendant to believe that he or she was being threatened or to explain why the amount of force used by the defendant in response to that perceived threat was reasonable.