How many fundamental pillars does Daubert outline for evaluating expert testimony?

The correct answer is that Daubert outlines five fundamental pillars for evaluating expert testimony. The Daubert standard, established in the 1993 Supreme Court case Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., provides a framework for judges to assess the admissibility of expert witness testimony.

The five pillars include:

1. Testability: The theory or technique must be testable and have been subjected to peer review and publication.
2. Error Rate: There should be a known or potential error rate of the methodology used.
3. Standards and Controls: There must be standards controlling the technique's operation, ensuring consistency and reliability.
4. General Acceptance: The methodology should have general acceptance within the relevant scientific community.
5. Relevance: The testimony must be relevant to the case and assist the trier of fact in understanding the evidence or determining a fact in issue.

These criteria help ensure that expert testimony is based on sound scientific principles and methods, thus contributing to a fair legal process. By focusing on these five pillars, courts can evaluate whether expert evidence is both credible and applicable to the legal questions being posed.