Expert Witnesses in Child Abuse Cases: What Can and Should Be Said in Court

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 text, 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 contemporary problem areas associated with expert testimony in cases of child abuse are described.