NCJ Number
131311
Journal
Behavioral Sciences and the Law: Expert Testimony Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (Spring 1989) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
R Rogers
Date Published
1991
Length
281 pages
Annotation
An overview of psychiatric testimony is presented from a legal and clinical perspective.
Abstract
A legal overview provides a conceptual framework for understanding the various appellate decisions regarding mental health testimony. A brief sketch of the mental health expert together with the limitation of social and clinical psychological data follows. The purpose and scope of expert testimony is examined through several psycholegal issues in child custody cases, juror's misconceptions of eyewitness testimony, employment discrimination, and appellate decisions on rape trauma syndrome as evidence in criminal trials. Lastly, the courtroom process as it relates to expert testimony is discussed. Topics covered include prohibition of testimony on the ultimate issue, biasing effect of forensic identification on mental health experts, and the effect of a cross-examination of an expert on the juror's perception within the context of a personal injury case.