R.I. R. Evid. 608

(a) Opinion

and Reputation Evidence of Character. The credibility of a witness may be

attacked or supported by evidence in the form of opinion or reputation, but subject

to these limitations: (1) the evidence may refer only to character for truthfulness or

untruthfulness, and (2) evidence of truthful character is admissible only after the

character of the witness for truthfulness has been attacked by opinion or reputation

evidence or otherwise.

(b) Specific Instances of Conduct. Specific instances of the conduct of a

witness, for the purpose of attacking or supporting the witness' credibility, other than

conviction of crime as provided in Rule 609, or, in the discretion of the trial judge,

evidence of prior similar false accusations, may not be proved by extrinsic evidence.

They may, however, in the discretion of the court, if probative of truthfulness or

untruthfulness, be inquired into on cross-examination of the witness (1) concerning

the witness' character for truthfulness or untruthfulness, or (2) concerning the

character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of another witness as to which character

the witness being cross-examined has testified.

The giving of testimony, whether by an accused or by any other witness, does not

operate as a waiver of his or her privilege against self-incrimination when examined

with respect to matters which relate only to credibility.