Proving the unprovable
Subtitle: the role of law, science, and speculation in adjudicating culpability and dangerousness
By: Christopher Slobogin
Series: American Psychology-Law Society series; American Psychology-Law Society series
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 193
ISBN-13: 9780198040965
Subjects: Forensic psychology; Criminal Law; Expert Evidence; Forensic sociology; General; Criminal psychology; Criminal liability; Violent offenders; Psychological aspects; LAW
Description: The author proposes a number of ways the courts can ensure that experts provide the best possible information about ultimately unknowable past mental states and future behavior, arguing that a rigorous demonstration of scientific validity from expert witnesses may often be unfair and can diminish the process's reliability.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-184) and index.

Description based on print version record.
Table of contents: title: The need for nuance; title: Diagnoses, syndromes, and criminal responsibility; title: The case for informed speculation; title: Redefining probative value; title: Beyond relevance; title: The current state of the science and the law; title: Are there experts on dangerousness?; title: Conclusions: the structure of expertise in criminal cases.