CHILDREN AND THE LAW
...Evidentiary Issues
......Expert Witnesses (Psych. Opinion)
.........Child Sexual Abuse Accom. Syndr. (CSAAS)
13 Cards On This Topic:
  • Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS) summarized.
  • 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.
  • CSAAS permitted to dispel jury’s misconceptions about abuse, but not for purpose of demonstrating abuse.
  • Expert testimony re CSAAS properly admitted in case-in-chief to rehabilitate victim’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.
  • Evidence of child molest syndrome inadmissible to prove molest at dependency hearing.
  • CSAAS evidence inadmissible to prove molestation occurred.
  • Physician examining minor for physical evidence of sexual abuse properly permitted to testify as to CSAAS, where latter not directed at minor.
  • CSAAS permitted to explain delay in reporting molest. Requirements for admission of CSAAS testimony.
  • Kelly-Frye applies to administrative hearings; CSAAS showing not sufficient.
  • Expert testimony explaining delay in child’s reporting sexual abuse permissible, as long as does not express opinion re truthfulness; Kelly-Frye not applicable.
  • Bledsoe properly applied to child molest cases; testimony cannot be used to diagnose victim as having been molested.