If a witness uses a gesture to describe something, what should the reporter do?

When a witness uses a gesture to describe something, the reporter should engage with the situation to ensure that the record reflects what the witness intended to convey. Asking the attorney to have the witness describe the gesture allows for a clear, verbal account that can be documented accurately. This approach ensures that the intent and context of the gesture are captured in the official transcript.

This action is important because gestures can add significant meaning to verbal testimony, but they cannot be adequately recorded through writing alone. A verbal explanation of the gesture provides a clear understanding for those who may read the transcript later. It enhances the clarity of the testimony and preserves the nuances of communication that non-verbal cues can provide.

Capturing the gesture on video is often outside the traditional practices of court reporting and may not be permissible or practical in all situations. Similarly, simply ignoring the gesture or attempting to record it in writing would not adequately represent the witness's intent or the full scope of their testimony.