Discussing Ms Maxwell’s composure, he added:  “I think what you’re seeing here is an attempt by her defence attorneys to make her appear as a warm person. That she’s the furthest from what someone would think about when they think of someone who would traffic young girls”.

Dr Aref Jabbour, at IMS Consulting & Expert Service, said it was also important for defendants to avoid the natural instinct to rolling their eyes or shaking their head, which could indicate their discomfort or disdain for their situation in the eyes of a jury.

“I would guess that she was told to look at the jury, avoid looking weary and to be cognisant of any facial gestures she might make,” he said.

Aneca Lasley, a trial lawyer for the law firm Squire Patton Boggs, said Ms Maxwell’s ability to express herself to jurors would be hindered by the court’s mask mandate. 

“It may be harder for her to come across as sympathetic, which I think is important here because the defence is trying to portray her as a scapegoat [for her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein],” she said. 

Ms Maxwell has appeared to follow many of the basic principles of jury consultants – appearing engaged with the trial during animated conversations with her lawyers and only bowing her head occasionally to take notes. 

At other points she has listened to the proceedings intently, or nodded to a family member watching on in the public gallery. 

But Ms Lasley suggested some of Ms Maxwell’s body language in the courtroom so far could work against her.