Bias and expert testimony of mental health professionals in adversarial proceedings: A preliminary investigation

  • Randy K. Otto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The role of mental health professionals testifying as expert witnesses has been the subject of increasing criticism. Cases in which opposing experts reach different conclusions are dismissed as “battles of the experts” and psychologists and psychiatrists are described as “hired guns.” This preliminary, analogue study examined the degree to which the opinions and testimony of mental health professionals may differ according to which side retains the expert. Results provided some support for the proposition that mental health professionals' testimony may vary according to the side by which they are retained.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)267-273
Number of pages7
JournalBehavioral Sciences & the Law
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Law

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