CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
...Opinion & Scientific Evidence
......Forensic Issues
.........Sanity & Mental Processes
............Child Sex. Abuse Accom. Synd. (CSAAS)
 17 Cards On This Topic:
  • Trial court had no sua sponte duty to give the pattern jury instruction explaining the limited purpose of expert testimony on the CSAAS.
  • Because of lack of more substantial record, D could not offer a persuasive challenge to the admissibility of CSAAS evidence; Court declined to overturn settled law on subject.
  • Trial court properly excluded testimony by defense expert as to the "usual" reactions of trauma victims, offered to show demeanor of minor victim was inconsistent with having been molested.
  • Expert testimony properly admitted during DA's case-in-chief to rehabilitate recanting V's earlier testimony and to explain delay in reporting sexual abuse.
  • CSAAS permitted to explain misconceptions about abuse to jury, but not for purpose of demonstrating abuse.
  • Expert testimony on Child Sex Abuse Accommodation Syndrome properly introduced on limited issue of V's state of mind in delaying report of molest; may be part of case in chief.
  • Expert's testimony properly addressed V's credibility after defense cross-exam of V; objections waived by not bringing at trial and by inviting expert's answers on cross-exam.
  • CSAAS permitted to explain delay in reporting molestation.
  • Expert testimony re CSAAS properly admitted in case-in-chief to rehabilitate V's credibility.
  • CSAAS limited to why minor's behavior not inconsistent with her testimony that she was molested; DA must identify misconceptions which expert testimony designed to dispel.
  • Physician examining minor for physical evidence of sexual abuse properly permitted to testify re CSAAS, where latter not directed at minor.
  • CSAAS evidence inadmissible to prove molestation occurred.
  • CSAAS not shown to satisfy Kelly-Frye test; showing required for new technique. Kelly-Frye test applies to administrative hearings.
  • Evidence of child molest syndrome inadmissible to prove molest at dependency hearing.
  • Expert testimony explaining delay in child's reporting sexual abuse permissible, as long as does not express opinion as to truthfulness; Kelly-Frye not available.
  • Bledsoe properly applied to child molest cases; testimony cannot be used to diagnose V as having been molested.
  • Court properly admitted expert testimony on general behavioral characteristics exhibited by minor Vs of sex abuse; not improper bolstering of minor V's testimony.


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