R.I. R. Juv. P. 44
The court may on its own motion or upon the motion of a party order the respondent or the petitioner, or both, to show cause why expert witnesses should not be appointed, and may request the parties to submit nominations. The court may appoint any expert witnesses agreed upon by the parties and may appoint witnesses of the court's its own selection. An expert witness shall not be appointed by the court unless the expert witness consents to act. A witness so appointed shall be informed of the witness' duties by the court in writing, a copy of which shall be filed with the clerk, or at a conference in which the parties shall have opportunity to participate. A witness so appointed shall advise the parties of the witness' findings, if any, and may thereafter be called to testify by the court or by any party. The witness shall be subject to cross-examination by each party. The court may determine the reasonable compensation of such a witness and may direct that the compensation be paid either by the petitioner or by the party who moved for appointment or both. The parties also may call expert witnesses of their own selection.
R.I. R. Juv. P. 44