FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERTISE IN THE WAKE OF DAUBERT

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. established guidelines fo r screening the admissibility of scientific evidence and overruled the Frye ''general acceptance'' doctrine. Guidelines more akin to those a dvocated by psychologists to assess the trustworthiness of the expert testimony were established in light of the Federal Rules of Evidence o n the reliability, relevance, and prejudicial or probative nature of t he information. Forensic psychological experts will have to be explici t about the scientific foundations of their opinions. The more flexibl e formula for the admission of scientific evidence may exert greater q uality control than the Frye test, and enhance the relationship of psy chology and law by eliminating some sources of controversy within the professional community over expert witnesses. Research needs flowing f rom the new standards are identified.