EXPERT TESTIMONY IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TRIALS - THE ADMISSIBILITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

The authors describe a research programme investigating whether psycho logical evidence about child sexual abuse and child witnesses meets se veral criteria for admissibility in US courts: (a) general acceptance within the scientific community, (b) helpfulness to the jury, and (c) whether its probative value outweighs its prejudicial value. Responses from a survey of child sexual abuse experts suggest that they agree a bout the research Endings in three areas: the demographic characterist ics of sexually abused children, child sexual abuse accommodation synd rome (Summit, 1983), and children's cognitive capabilities. Survey res ponses from college students and community members indicate that they may be especially helped by expert testimony on children's memory. Lay persons may also benefit from a discussion of the paucity of research on offender characteristics and the wide variety of responses to sexua l victimization. Data from a survey and a trial simulation suggest tha t expert testimony on child sexual abuse will not be prejudicial to th e defendant. Implications for expert witnesses are discussed. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.