What is considered not an attack on the witness's general character for truthfulness?

In the context of witness credibility in legal proceedings, attacking a witness's general character for truthfulness often involves questioning their moral integrity and reliability. This is typically done through evidence of prior convictions, reputation evidence, or specific acts of misconduct, all of which serve to suggest that the witness may not be trustworthy.

Specific biases, on the other hand, do not necessarily reflect on the witness’s general character for truthfulness. Instead, they relate to the witness's particular inclinations or prejudices that may influence their testimony. For instance, if a witness is known to have a bias against a particular group involved in the case, this fact might challenge their ability to provide impartial testimony. However, such biases do not directly address the witness's overall honesty or moral character. Therefore, specific biases are not viewed as an attack on the witness's general character for truthfulness but rather as relevant information about their potential motivations or predispositions surrounding the case at hand.