NCJ Number
142533
Editor(s)
G S Goodman,
B L Bottoms
Date Published
1993
Length
347 pages
Annotation
Thirteen papers by top researchers report on empirical findings pertinent to forensic issues in the testimony of child victims of sexual abuse.
Abstract
The first two papers focus on research on children's memory abilities and the implications of research findings for the credibility of children's testimony. Another paper discusses current investigations of the effectiveness of a specific type of cue, anatomically detailed dolls, often used in child sexual abuse investigations. Two papers outline empirically derived interview techniques designed to obtain more and accurate information from children with a minimal amount of suggestion. Following initial interviews, children who allege abuse may have to testify about their experiences in a court of law. One paper examines the demands and problems encountered by children who testify in court. It discusses techniques to improve children's testimony by preparing children both for what to expect and how to react to the unnatural context of a courtroom. Other papers address the likelihood that children will make false reports of sexual abuse, jurors' perceptions of the accuracy of children's testimony, the emotional effects on children of legal involvement, and responses by the courts to placing child witnesses into a legal system designed for adults. References, tabular data, and subject indexes