AUTHORITY OF THE RORSCHACH - LEGAL CITATIONS DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS

A computer-based search of Rorschach legal citations between 1945 and 1995 was conducted. The Rorschach test was cited in 247 cases in state , federal, and military courts of appeal, averaging 5 times per year. Twenty-six cases were identified in which the reliability or validity of the Rorschach findings were an issue (10.5%). Despite occasional di sparagement by prosecutors, the majority of the courts found the test findings to be both reliable and valid. When Rorschach testimony was l imited or excluded, it was usually due to invalid inferences that the expert had made from the test data.