Expert Witness

Following on the heels of the critically-acclaimed true crime account, A Killer By Design (soon to be released as an original docuseries called Mastermind on Hulu), a groundbreaking look into the crucial role played by expert witnesses in the most high-profile criminal cases, from the Menendez brothers to Larry Nasser to Bill Cosby, based on Dr. Ann Burgess' personal experiences within the criminal justice system

For decades, when criminal cases of the most unprecedented nature went to trial, one woman took the stand to separate truth from fiction. Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance? is the extraordinary story of forensic and psychiatric pioneer Dr. Ann Burgess-inspiration for Hulu's forthcoming docuseries Mastermind-and how she revolutionized what it means to be an expert witness in the American court system.

Written through Burgess' singular lens of compassion and lived experience, Expert Witness pulls back the curtain on some of the biggest cases in the last thirty years-from Bill Cosby to the Menendez brothers to Larry Nassar-to reveal the deeply human stories behind the trials that captivated a nation. The book explores the role of expert witnesses in high stakes court cases, offering first-hand accounts and never-before-seen interviews with attorneys, victims, and offenders. Unlike any book before it, Expert Witness places readers inside the mind of the nation's most prominent courtroom expert, following Burgess as she takes on one seismic case after the next and shows how powerful courtroom testimony can be.

Throughout the narrative, each case deepens the reader's understanding of the art and science of expert testimony. And while the cases on their own are fascinating, it's the never before told stories of the individuals at the heart of such groundbreaking cases that gives Expert Witness its powerful sense of urgency, relevance, and framework of understanding, taking readers from the women's movement of the 1970s to the #MeToo movement of today-one of the largest social reckonings in recent history.

At its core, Expert Witness is a story of empowerment. It's a story of compassion and the ever-increasing need for individuals to stand up and speak truth to power or to popular opinion. And it's ultimately a story of how revolutionary one voice can be.

"Ann Burgess has significantly influenced my career with her groundbreaking work and advocacy for the true victims in our society, particularly her work with the victims of Larry Nassar. Her book is a must-read."
--Kathleen Zellner
"Ann Burgess helped redefine what it means to fight for justice. Her story is both deeply personal and universally powerful--a testament to bravery, intellect, and integrity in the face of unspeakable violence."
--Margaret P. Moss, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN. FADLN [Hidatsa/Dakhóta] Professor and Associate Dean for Nursing and Health Policy
"Courtroom battles are won and lost based upon revealing insights dramatically presented by an expert witness. If you want to learn about the best and from the best, then look no further! In her book Expert Witness, Ann Burgess reveals secrets of success by showcasing her personal courtroom drama while highlighting several notorious cases."
--Gregory M. Cooper, former FBI criminal profiler and executive director of the Cold Case Foundation
"Dr. Burgess' brilliant advocacy and pioneering techniques have profoundly shaped the world we experience, particularly as women. She persists as the preeminent model of what is possible when empathy is the driving force behind work."--Dakota & Elle Fanning
"Dr. Burgess' pioneering forensic research and prolific writings have elucidated the motives of sexual predators and serial killers, helping law enforcement to apprehend offenders and to save lives...In this latest page-turner, she reaffirms her unstoppable devotion to unearthing and patching together the truth to secure justice for those accused in and those affected by heinous violent crimes."
--Dr. Gary Brucato, Visiting Scholar at Boston College, co-author of The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime
"I sat with Dr. Burgess and Steven Constantine before I ever sat across from Ed Kemper. As I tried to understand the crimes of one man, they carried the understanding of many. Their work, corroboration, and friendship have been deeply grounding."
--Gregory Horoupian, Filmmaker
"Working with Ann was a master class for me in profiling, crime scene analysis, and mental health issues. It made me a far better lawyer, both in terms of evaluating facts, and more importantly, in gaining insights into my clients."
--James P. Cooney III, civil and criminal lawyer

Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc., APRN, is a leading forensic and psychiatric nurse who worked with the FBI for over two decades. She is currently a professor at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing, and she lives in Boston, MA.

Steven Matthew Constantine (cowriter) is the assistant director of marketing and communications at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing. He holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars and lives in Boston, MA.

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