NCJ Number
158443
Date Published
1994
Length
0 pages
Annotation
These three audio cassettes present a transcript of several presentations regarding the nature and use of expert testimony in cases involving child sexual abuse; the presentations were given at the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's Second National Colloquium in May 1994.
Abstract
Directed to both attorneys and nonattorney professionals from many disciplines, the presentations began with an overview of the general principles involved in expert testimony. The speaker noted that although the rules are uniform in general, they differ in some details from state to state. Additional presentations focused on substantive evidence, the expert testimony offered to prove that a child was sexually abused and the expert testimony offered to restore the credibility of a child witness whose credibility has been challenged by the defense. Other speakers focused on expert testimony regarding offenders, with emphasis on the admissibility of profile testimony and the rules that apply, and expert testimony regarding monetary damages sought by survivors of child sexual abuse in civil litigation. The emerging issue of the battered person defense in cases in which a battered parent kills a child or a battered child kills a parent was also explored.