Expert Witnesses in Child Abuse Cases: What Can and Should Be Said in Court (Law & Mental Health Professionals) [Paperback]

Helene Hembrooke (Author), Stephen J. Ceci (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002 | ISBN-10: 155798915X | ISBN-13: 978-1557989154 | Edition: 1

Psychologists have been increasingly called on to testify in child abuse cases. The rough-and-tumble world of courtroom machinations, however, has left many wondering how they can protect themselves and their science from manipulation and misuse by the court system. In this book, eminent lawyers, psychologists, and social workers discuss the thornier aspects of testimony and provide recommendations on the proper role of the expert witness. In each chapter, one or more current problem areas associated with expert testimony in cases of child abuse are described. The first of the book's four sections is an overview, comparing the uses of expert testimony both here and abroad as well as the ethical standards to which psychologists serving as experts should adhere. The second section explores the actual experience of providing expert testimony, from a personal glimpse into an author's experience to professional dos and don'ts. The kinds of evidence most often offered in cases of suspected child abuse, the admissibility of such evidence, and the effects of this information on juror decisions are covered in the third section,. In the fourth section, commentaries synthesize the conclusions of these chapters and help to move the field toward a consensus of what constitutes ethical testimony.

Product Details

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155798915X
• ISBN-13: 978-1557989154
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Witnesses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TESTIMONY, October 7, 2007

By 

Robert W. Smith "Robert Smith, Ph.D." (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Expert Witnesses in Child Abuse Cases: What Can and Should Be Said in Court (Hardcover)

This is an excellent resource for the professional who has had no or limited experience in testifying regarding child sexual abuse matters (or, for those who have had negative experiences). The author provides background and recommendations for testimony. Like most books published by APA, I found that it safely balanced the scientific with the clinical. In doing so, I found that it provided a disappointing level of detail about abuse, the consultation process, evaluation, preparation, or testimony. For the clinician wishing greater information on the topic or for the clinician wishing for more useful information on the evaluation or testimony processes, I'd recommend augmentation with other relevant sources. Useful resource that is worth the used price.