Brigham and Bothwell (1983) claimed that jurors have a scientifically incorrect view of eyewitness testimony. The purpose of this study was to examine the most beneficial way to assist the jury in dealing with eyewitness testimony. Duckworth, Kreiner, Stark-Wroblewski, and Marsh (2011) applied interactive participation in an eyewitness activity and expert testimony to a mock-jury dealing with eyewitness testimony and found that those who participated in the activity had significantly fewer convictions. The methodological framework of the Duckworth et al. study was applied to East Tennessee State University criminal justice undergraduates. Although this study did not find any significant effects in hearing expert testimony on empirical findings regarding eyewitness testimony or participating in an individual recall activity, cross tabulation frequencies indicated a directional pattern of relationship when independent variables were compared to the control group.

This study examines the background and qualifications of plaintiff and defense experts using the H-Index score as quantification of expert background and qualifications. The goal is to better understand the similarities and differences among the professionals offering paid expert witness testimony in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) civil litigation. In this quantitative study, descriptive statistics include the mean and standard deviation scores for the data to support examining measures of central tendency and variance, respectively. The study includes the use of logistic regression and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and their statistical assumptions were tested to determine whether they would be used or if it was more appropriate to use a non-parametric test. The study included two research questions: How do the qualifications of plaintiff and defense expert witnesses in mild traumatic brain injury civil litigation compare? and to what extent does a higher h-index correlate with a favorable litigation outcome in a mild traumatic brain injury case? The findings for the hypothesis tests associated with the research questions led to the acceptance of the null hypothesis in each test. There was a lack of asymptotic significance in Hypothesis 1 and a lack of significance in Hypothesis 2. The findings from these tests shall support the discussion of the implications of this research and the direction of future research.

O presente trabalho analisa diferentes aspectos da perícia médico legal, visando buscar formas efetivas de otimizar seus laudos e aferir melhores resultados na busca da verdade dos fatos na Justiça brasileira. Para tanto, é feita uma análise etimológica e uma breve retrospectiva da história da perícia, como forma de melhor entender e contextualizar suas bases e origens. Após, é analisada a realidade brasileira nesta área, em especial no Estado de São Paulo, mediante a verificação da estrutura dos locais de perícia, bem como da qualidade das intervenções dos poderes legislativo e executivo nesta área. É discutida, ainda, a questão da desvinculação da perícia à Segurança Pública no Brasil, bem como é realizado um breve estudo de direito comparado, em que são focadas as diferenças no tratamento legal da perícia entre o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e os ordenamentos estrangeiros. / This study analyzes several aspects of forensic expertise, aiming to seek effective ways to optimize the experts reports, consequently benchmarking best results in the search for the truth in investigations carried out in Brazil. Therefore, it was performed an etymological analysis and a brief retrospective of the history of forensic sciences as a way to understand and contextualize its origins and bases. In sequence it was analyzed the Brazilian reality in this field, especially in the State of São Paulo, by means of checking the structure of the locations where the States official examinations are conducted, as well as the quality of the interventions of the government and the parliament in this field. This work also discusses the issue of untying the States official examinations from the Citizen Security authorities in Brazil, as well as performs a brief study of comparative Law, which is focused on the differences related to the legal treatment of forensic sciences on foreign Legal systems compared to the Brazilian Legal system.

Forensic accountants are occasionally called upon to assist in criminal law proceedings. The role of the forensic accountant in such proceedings is usually determined during the engagement of the forensic investigation to assist in the matter under investigation. During such investigations, various investigation techniques may be utilised by the forensic accountant in order to convey the facts and findings of the forensic investigation in a written report, drafted by the forensic accountant. When criminal prosecutions are instituted and the forensic accountant is called upon to act as an expert witness, such evidence is mostly based on the findings of the written report. Thus, in giving evidence, the forensic accountant must ensure that the testimony and evidence will be admissible in court and that the forensic accountant is found to be a credible witness. Although there are various legal standards that the forensic accountant must adhere to, the ICFP, which is the South African regulatory body for commercial forensic practitioners, is still in its infancy and has as yet not set any standards with which forensic accountants must comply with when assisting in criminal investigations or drafting written reports. The objective of this study is to highlight the role of the forensic accountant in criminal law proceedings. This objective is reached by clarification of the following: • the difference between a forensic accountant and an auditor; • the techniques available to the forensic accountant when conducting a forensic investigation; • the standards with which a forensic accountant‘s report should comply; and • the forensic accountant‘s role in testimony. The study illustrates the difference between a forensic accountant and an auditor and suggests a definition for a forensic accountant. The study furthermore explores various techniques that the forensic accountant may utilise during the investigation. The study also analyses the legal standards with which a forensic accountant must comply in order to ensure the admissibility of the written report and its findings. In order to achieve this, international regulatory standards applicable to forensic accountants are analysed and discussed. Finally, the role of the forensic accountant in court proceedings is examined. The illustrations in this study will be helpful in determining standards that could be implemented in South Africa to guide forensic accountants in their role in criminal law proceedings. / Thesis (MCom (Forensic accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Forensic accountants are occasionally called upon to assist in criminal law proceedings. The role of the forensic accountant in such proceedings is usually determined during the engagement of the forensic investigation to assist in the matter under investigation. During such investigations, various investigation techniques may be utilised by the forensic accountant in order to convey the facts and findings of the forensic investigation in a written report, drafted by the forensic accountant. When criminal prosecutions are instituted and the forensic accountant is called upon to act as an expert witness, such evidence is mostly based on the findings of the written report. Thus, in giving evidence, the forensic accountant must ensure that the testimony and evidence will be admissible in court and that the forensic accountant is found to be a credible witness. Although there are various legal standards that the forensic accountant must adhere to, the ICFP, which is the South African regulatory body for commercial forensic practitioners, is still in its infancy and has as yet not set any standards with which forensic accountants must comply with when assisting in criminal investigations or drafting written reports. The objective of this study is to highlight the role of the forensic accountant in criminal law proceedings. This objective is reached by clarification of the following: • the difference between a forensic accountant and an auditor; • the techniques available to the forensic accountant when conducting a forensic investigation; • the standards with which a forensic accountant‘s report should comply; and • the forensic accountant‘s role in testimony. The study illustrates the difference between a forensic accountant and an auditor and suggests a definition for a forensic accountant. The study furthermore explores various techniques that the forensic accountant may utilise during the investigation. The study also analyses the legal standards with which a forensic accountant must comply in order to ensure the admissibility of the written report and its findings. In order to achieve this, international regulatory standards applicable to forensic accountants are analysed and discussed. Finally, the role of the forensic accountant in court proceedings is examined. The illustrations in this study will be helpful in determining standards that could be implemented in South Africa to guide forensic accountants in their role in criminal law proceedings. / Thesis (MCom (Forensic accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tydens ondersoeke na kinder seksuele misbruik benut word, het in n hoë mate mettertyd ontwikkel. Navorsing het n waardevolle bydrae gelewer tot effektiewe en geskikte assesseringstegnieke. Verdere navorsing is egter nodig om die bestaande tegnieke te ondersoek. Die persoon wat by forensiese assesserings betrokke is, kan baat vind by die leiding wat navorsing bied. Op grond hiervan het die navorser ondersoek ingestel na die forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tans in die praktyk deur forensiese maatskaplike werkers benut word. Gedurende die ondersoek is verskeie tegnieke wat tydens forensiese assesseringsonderhoude benut word, geïdentifiseer en bespreek. Die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie is vir die doel van hierdie studie deur die navorser uitgesonder. Hierdie tegniek is aan die hand van n gevallestudie bestudeer en bespreek. Ondersoek is ook ingestel na die menings van maatskaplike werkers wat in die forensiese veld werksaam is, asook dié van justisie–amptenare, onder wie landdroste en staatsaanklaers, wat in die hof vir seksuele misdrywe werksaam is, ten opsigte van die benutting van die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie. Die justisie–amptenare was aanvanklik nie vertroud met die tegniek nie. Nadat literatuur vir bestudering aan hulle beskikbaar gestel is, is vasgestel dat hulle ontvanklik is vir en positief staan teenoor die benutting van die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie. Die ondersoek het ten doel gehad: * Om deur middel van n literatuurstudie die forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tans in die praktyk benut word, te identifiseer en te bespreek; en * Om die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasietegniek aan die hand van n literatuurstudie en empiriese navorsing te evalueer. Samevattend kan gestel word dat die tegnieke, soos in hierdie navorsing bespreek, deel behoort uit te maak van die protokol van die professionele persoon wat die seksueel misbruikte kind assesseer. Hierdie navorsing het bevind dat die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie n waardevolle forensiese assesseringstegniek is ten opsigte van die seksueel misbruikte kind. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tydens ondersoeke na kinder seksuele misbruik benut word, het in n hoë mate mettertyd ontwikkel. Navorsing het n waardevolle bydrae gelewer tot effektiewe en geskikte assesseringstegnieke. Verdere navorsing is egter nodig om die bestaande tegnieke te ondersoek. Die persoon wat by forensiese assesserings betrokke is, kan baat vind by die leiding wat navorsing bied. Op grond hiervan het die navorser ondersoek ingestel na die forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tans in die praktyk deur forensiese maatskaplike werkers benut word. Gedurende die ondersoek is verskeie tegnieke wat tydens forensiese assesseringsonderhoude benut word, geïdentifiseer en bespreek. Die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie is vir die doel van hierdie studie deur die navorser uitgesonder. Hierdie tegniek is aan die hand van n gevallestudie bestudeer en bespreek. Ondersoek is ook ingestel na die menings van maatskaplike werkers wat in die forensiese veld werksaam is, asook dié van justisie–amptenare, onder wie landdroste en staatsaanklaers, wat in die hof vir seksuele misdrywe werksaam is, ten opsigte van die benutting van die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie. Die justisie–amptenare was aanvanklik nie vertroud met die tegniek nie. Nadat literatuur vir bestudering aan hulle beskikbaar gestel is, is vasgestel dat hulle ontvanklik is vir en positief staan teenoor die benutting van die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie. Die ondersoek het ten doel gehad: * Om deur middel van n literatuurstudie die forensiese assesseringstegnieke wat tans in die praktyk benut word, te identifiseer en te bespreek; en * Om die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasietegniek aan die hand van n literatuurstudie en empiriese navorsing te evalueer. Samevattend kan gestel word dat die tegnieke, soos in hierdie navorsing bespreek, deel behoort uit te maak van die protokol van die professionele persoon wat die seksueel misbruikte kind assesseer. Hierdie navorsing het bevind dat die sistematiese aanrakingseksplorasie n waardevolle forensiese assesseringstegniek is ten opsigte van die seksueel misbruikte kind. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Due to its hazardous nature, occupational injuries are unavoidable in the construction industry. Although many precautions are taken and educations are given to the laborers and employers, zero occupational injury rate could not be achieved, but a decrease in the number of injuries and fatalities could be maintained. The conventional studies conducted so far, usually focused on the prevention and causation models. The approach of the researchers was, either proactive or reactive about the accidents which offered preventive or protective precautions. However, after the occurrence of an injury, these precautions become useless and from this point on, determination of the fault rates for the parties being involved in that injury becomes the critical issue. Mostly, it is difficult to reach an objective and correct conclusion at the phase of determining fault rates and decisions achieved may display great fluctuations from one expert to another. The aim of this study is to develop an expert system that reflects the knowledge of occupational safety experts for the determination of fault rates. In order to facilitate this research, required data were collected from related organizations and experts. These data were compiled and classified, the significant factors were determined and all of these factors were evaluated within a quantitative approach. In addition to this evaluation, questionnaires were submitted to the experts / at which they were asked to rate the factors which were determined by the researcher of this study. The expert system is based on these ratings and factors obtained from questionnaires.

O presente trabalho analisa diferentes aspectos da perícia médico legal, visando buscar formas efetivas de otimizar seus laudos e aferir melhores resultados na busca da verdade dos fatos na Justiça brasileira. Para tanto, é feita uma análise etimológica e uma breve retrospectiva da história da perícia, como forma de melhor entender e contextualizar suas bases e origens. Após, é analisada a realidade brasileira nesta área, em especial no Estado de São Paulo, mediante a verificação da estrutura dos locais de perícia, bem como da qualidade das intervenções dos poderes legislativo e executivo nesta área. É discutida, ainda, a questão da desvinculação da perícia à Segurança Pública no Brasil, bem como é realizado um breve estudo de direito comparado, em que são focadas as diferenças no tratamento legal da perícia entre o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e os ordenamentos estrangeiros. / This study analyzes several aspects of forensic expertise, aiming to seek effective ways to optimize the experts reports, consequently benchmarking best results in the search for the truth in investigations carried out in Brazil. Therefore, it was performed an etymological analysis and a brief retrospective of the history of forensic sciences as a way to understand and contextualize its origins and bases. In sequence it was analyzed the Brazilian reality in this field, especially in the State of São Paulo, by means of checking the structure of the locations where the States official examinations are conducted, as well as the quality of the interventions of the government and the parliament in this field. This work also discusses the issue of untying the States official examinations from the Citizen Security authorities in Brazil, as well as performs a brief study of comparative Law, which is focused on the differences related to the legal treatment of forensic sciences on foreign Legal systems compared to the Brazilian Legal system.

The diploma thesis titled "Selected aspects of domestic violence described in court files and psychological expert opinions" deals with forensic - psychological issues. The theoretical part defines domestic violence, its forms and types. There is also space for individual aspects of domestic violence, including treatises on victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, related myths and consequences. This chapter also covers the issue of how to help. A separate part deals with the court file, its content and composition. The expert opinion, its assignment and content is then devoted to the conclusion of the theoretical part. The empirical part, focused on the examination of selected aspects of domestic violence, was based on an analysis of court files containing the psychological expert opinion in cases of abuse under §198 and §199 of the Criminal code. Keywords: Domestic violence, Court files, Expert witness psychologist, Expert opinion