What is a lay witness?

A lay witness is a person who testifies based on their personal observations and direct experiences rather than on specialized knowledge or expertise. Their testimony is grounded in first-hand knowledge, meaning they have witnessed events or facts relevant to a case, and they can provide an account of what they saw or heard. In fire investigation cases, lay witnesses might include bystanders who observed a fire start or someone who was present during an incident. The relevance of their testimony often lies in its ability to present a unique perspective or factual account that can help establish timelines or clarify events related to the fire.

In contrast, a trained expert in fire investigation provides technical insights based on their experience and education, which would not qualify as lay witness testimony. Similarly, while police officers involved in the case may have valuable information and witness accounts, their role typically leans towards that of an official investigator rather than that of a lay witness. Lastly, individuals with professional testimony refer to those who possess specialized knowledge or expertise that informs their understanding of the case but does not reflect the lay person's approach, which is strictly based on observation and personal experience.