Which statement best describes the purpose and requirements of Rule 702 for expert testimony?

• A. It restricts expert testimony to physical sciences only
• B. It requires that expert testimony be based on sufficient facts or data
• C. It requires the expert to be licensed in every case
• D. It prohibits the use of statistics

Answer: (B)

Rule 702 is about making sure expert testimony is reliable and helpful to the jury. The core requirement is that the expert’s opinion be based on sufficient facts or data and that it rests on reliable principles and methods that the expert applies to the facts of the case. This foundation—enough data plus sound methods applied properly—ensures the testimony has real evidentiary value. The option that captures this idea best states that the testimony must be based on sufficient facts or data. The other statements aren’t accurate: expert testimony under Rule 702 isn’t limited to physical sciences, licensing in every case isn’t required, and statistics aren’t categorically prohibited as long as they’re used properly and reliably.