The impact of simulated courtroom training on expert witness preparedness: A pilot study in forensic odontology education

Forensic dentists are integral to the justice system, yet technical proficiency on its own does not guarantee effective courtroom participation. The adversarial, high-pressure environment of legal proceedings demands clear, accurate, and impartial communication of complex scientific findings to non-specialist decision-makers. Without targeted training, even skilled practitioners may struggle to navigate cross-examination effectively, preserve objectivity, and present evidence in a scientifically defensible manner. This pilot study evaluated the impact of a structured mock court trial on the self-perceived preparedness, communication skills and confidence of postgraduate forensic odontology students. All outcomes reflect students' self-reported perceptions rather than objective measures of courtroom performance. The intervention comprised three phases (preparation, simulation and debriefing) with anonymous questionnaires administered before and after the simulation (n=18; 100% response rate). Post-trial, statistically significant improvements were observed across all measured domains, including confidence in presenting evidence, understanding of courtroom procedures, and communication with non-specialist audiences. Cross-examination was identified as the predominant challenge. Qualitative findings indicated gains in metacognitive awareness and a shift in professional identity toward understanding the expert witness as an impartial educator of the court. These findings suggest mock trial simulation shows promise as an educational intervention in forensic odontology, warranting investigation in larger, multi-institutional contexts.