A relação paciente profissional na Odontologia é influenciada pela cultura e pelas relações comerciais, após a criação do código de defesa do consumidor, as pessoas passaram a observar mais os seus direitos e a ficarem mais exigentes quanto a compra de produtos ou prestação de serviços. Essa condição fez com que o número de demandas cíveis contra Cirurgiões-Dentistas aumentasse em grande escala, isso por sua vez mostrou a necessidade do profissional estar atento para essa nova condição e a conhecer melhor as leis a quais estão submetidos, Código de Ética Odontológico, Código de Defesa do Consumidor, Código Civil, Código Penal e Constituição Federal. Nos processos contra Dentistas, é imprescindível que haja a perícia técnica, para que seja comprovada a culpa do profissional, para tal há a necessidade do Odontolegista, profissional que deve estar capacitado a atuar na interface da relação entre Direito e Odontologia, utilizando conhecimentos técnicos específicos na busca da verdade. Este estudo buscou na literatura científica trabalhos que versam sobre a responsabilidade civil do Cirurgião-Dentista, bem como analisou sentenças das primeiras varas cíveis do estado de São Paulo em ações movidas contra este profissional no tangente a danos morais e danos materiais, as sentenças foram catalogadas em planilha do Excel e submetidas a análises bivariadas por meios dos testes de Fisher e Qui-quadrado. As variáveis independentes que apresentaram níveis de significância p 0,1 foram habilitadas para análise de associação multivariada com emprego de regressão logística, método backward, com intervalo de confiança de 95%, permanecendo no modelo final as variáveis com nível de significância p 0,05. Encontrou-se 411 sentenças que foram emitidas em processos contra Cirurgiões-Dentistas, entretanto somente em 87 foram solicitadas ou executadas as perícias odontológicas, representando 21,17% do número de demandas cíveis. Das 87 sentenças analisadas, 32 correspondem a indivíduos do gênero masculino e 55 do gênero feminino e em 49 processos os autores tiveram auxilio da justiça gratuita, dos pedidos formulados nas iniciais, 21 figuraram como improcedentes, 32 como parcialmente procedentes e 34 procedentes. Quando o nexo causal é relatado na sentença, há cerca de 50 vezes mais chance de a perícia ter sido realizada e ela tem 25 vezes mais chance de ser acatada pelo Juíz. Em decisões desfavoráveis ao Cirurgião-Dentista, há cerca de 90% menos chance de ter havido perícia, quando a perícia aparece relatada pelo Juiz na sentença, a chance da decisão ser desfavorável ao Cirurgião-Dentista diminui em 85%. Pode-se concluir que a perícia é um procedimento indispensável para a defesa do Profissional Odontólogo, evidenciando os aspectos técnicos necessários para o correto julgamento e aumentando a possibilidade de defesa do Cirurgião-Dentista. / Culture and commercial relations influence the relationship between patient and dentistry professionals. After the Code of Costumer Protection created in Brazil, people begun to observe more their rights and become more demanding about the purchase of products or services. This condition made the civil suits against Dental Surgeons raised on a large scale, which highlights the necessity of a more aware and prepared professional for this new scenario. Dentistry Ethics Code, the Code of Costumer Protection, Civil Rights, Criminal Code and Federal Constitution are some of the new necessities of a modern dental surgeon. In litigation against dentists, it is essential that a technical expertise perform a throughout exam of the patient so that the professionals fault or reason is proven. This technical expertise is called Forensic Odontologist, a professional who must be able to act in the interface between the Law and Dentistry, using specific technical knowledge in search of truth. The aim of this study was to sought the scientific literature papers regarding dentistry civil responsibility, as well as analyzed sentences of the first civil courts of Sao Paulo state in actions brought against dentists related to moral and material damages. The sentences were listed on Excel spreadsheets and submitted to bivariate analyzes by means of the Fishers exact and Chi-square tests. The independent variables that presented levels of significance p 0.1 were enabled for analysis of multivariate association with logistic regression, backward method, with 95% confidence interval, remaining in the final model the variables with significance level p0,05. A total of 411 judgments against dental surgeons were found, but only in 87 sentences a Forensic Odontologist was requested or performed an appraisal representing 21.17% of the number of civil suits. Of the 87 judgments analyzed, 32 corresponded to males and 55 females, and in 49 cases the authors received free legal aid, from the petitions formulated in the initials, 21 were considered as irrelevant, 32 as partially proceeds and 34 proceeds. Sentences based on Forensic Odontologist appraisal leads to 50 times more causal nexus reported, and sentences with causal nexus leads to 25 times more acceptance by the judge. Also, in 90% of sentences without appraisals leads to unfavorable sentences to dentists, while when judges uses the appraisals in sentences the unfavorable results to dentists lowers in 85%. It can be concluded that the Forensic Odontolgist appraisal is an indispensable procedure for the Dental Surgeon defense, evidencing the necessary technical aspects for the correct judgment and increasing the possibility of defense for Dentists.

abstract: This experiment uses the Community of Knowledge framework to better understand how jurors interpret new information (Sloman & Rabb, 2016). Participants learned of an ostensibly new scientific finding that was claimed to either be well-understood or not understood by experts. Despite including no additional information, expert understanding led participants to believe that they personally understood the phenomenon, with expert understanding acting as a cue for trustworthiness and believability. This effect was particularly pronounced with low-quality sources. These results are discussed in the context of how information is used by jurors in court, and the implications of the “Community of Knowledge” effect being used by expert witnesses. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2018

The problem of demarcation continues to attract attention, in part because solutions are perceived to have enormous social significance. The civic motivation, however, I argue is in tension with the heterogeneity of the sciences. Philosophers of science would be better employed reflecting on the features, causes, and consequences, of created, scientific controversies. These arise when relevant experts are in broad agreement about what conclusions can sensibly be drawn from available evidence, but the public perceives an expert community deeply divided and conclusions that are plagued by profound and systemic uncertainty. In the second part of the paper I explore this concept further.

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.

Orientador: Eduardo Daruge Júnior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T03:13:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro_TalitaLimade_M.pdf: 1025177 bytes, checksum: a4521e0c2892eb77bc07ce434f89f58f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A violência contra a mulher é considerada um problema de saúde pública, causando impacto na qualidade de vida pelas lesões físicas, psíquicas e morais que acarreta. Com o intuito de coibir a violência doméstica e familiar, foi promulgada em 2006 a Lei 11.340, conhecida como Lei Maria da Penha. Diante da necessidade de quantificar e caracterizar o problema da violência contra a mulher, o presente trabalho buscou analisar a quantidade de casos antes e após a referida Lei, investigar os tipos de lesões mais frequentes e as regiões mais atingidas em vítimas de violência de gênero, avaliar características dessas mulheres e das agressões sofridas, e observar as respostas oferecidas aos quesitos oficiais do exame de lesão corporal, além de abordar e discutir aspectos éticos e legais inerentes ao tema. Para o estudo retrospectivo proposto, realizou-se um levantamento nos registros dos exames de lesão corporal realizados nos meses de Março, Julho e Novembro dos anos de 2004 a 2008, no Departamento Médico Legal de Vitória, Espírito Santo. Foram incluídas mulheres vítimas de lesões corporais, encaminhadas em decorrência de violência de gênero, com idade entre 11 e 80 anos. Foram desconsiderados os laudos referentes à violência interpessoal não-familiar. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba - UNICAMP. O número de laudos exibiu uma oscilação durante os anos estudados, sem evidenciar, porém, uma tendência específica ao longo do tempo. A quantidade de casos após a promulgação da Lei Maria da Penha foi maior em 30,21% que no período anterior à norma. Os resultados revelam que a mulher vitimizada é, na maior parte dos casos, jovem, numa faixa etária entre 25 e 35 anos e solteira, e não trabalha fora de casa. A maioria das vítimas era procedente de Vitória, ES. O companheiro ou marido da vítima foi o principal agressor, utilizando principalmente segmentos do corpo, como mãos e pés, como meio de agressão. As lesões craniofaciais mais encontradas foram a equimose e escoriação, e as regiões mais atingidas foram a orbitária, cervical e frontal. Quanto às respostas aos quesitos oficiais do laudo de lesão corporal, contabilizou-se que 30 casos seriam enquadrados como lesão grave, e quatro como lesão gravíssima. Em perícias de lesões bucais e faciais, é lícito afirmar que o cirurgião dentista está ética e legalmente habilitado para avaliar tais casos, analisar os danos temporários ou permanentes provocados e verificar a existência de nexo causal / Abstract: Violence against women is considered a public health problem which impacts the quality of life since it causes physical, mental and moral injuries. In order to curb domestic violence, Law 11340, known as the Maria da Penha Law, was enacted in 2006. Given the need to quantify and describe the problem of violence against women, this study sought to analyze the amount of cases before and after the referred Law, to investigate the most common types of injuries and the most affected regions in victims of gender violence, evaluate the characteristics of these women and of the aggression and observe the answers offered to the official questions of personal injury exam, as well as address and discuss ethical and legal issues inherent in the subject. For the proposed retrospective study, there was a survey on the records of examinations of personal injury made in March, July and November of the years 2004 to 2008, in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Vitória, Espírito Santo. The study included women victims of bodily injury, referred as a result of gender violence, aged between 11 and 80 years. The reports relating to interpersonal violence unfamiliar were discarded. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba - UNICAMP. The number of reports exhibited an oscillation during the studied years, but did not reveal a specific trend over time. The number of cases after the promulgation of Maria da Penha Law was higher at 30.21% on the previous period to the norm. The results show that the victimized woman is, in most cases, young in an age range between 25 and 35 years old and unmarried, and she does not work outside the home. Most of the victims were originally from Vitoria, ES. The victim's husband or partner was the main offender, using mainly parts of the body like hands and feet as a mean of aggression. The most frequent craniofacial injuries were spots and abrasions, and the most affected regions were orbital, neck and frontal. As for the answers to the official questions of personal injury examinations, 30 cases were classified as serious injury, and four as very serious injury. In expertise on oral and facial injuries, it is fair to say that the dentist is ethically and legally qualified to evaluate these cases, to analyze the temporary or permanent damage caused and to verify the existence of a causal link / Mestrado / Odontologia Legal e Deontologia / Mestre em Biologia Buco-Dental

Orientador: Aparecida Mari Iguti / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T12:07:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_EduardoMartinho_M.pdf: 5575234 bytes, checksum: 702fa38a4318596af16627c6107218a3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: O termo insalubridade aparece inicialmente na legislação brasileira em 1932 ligada à proibição do trabalho feminino, e em 1943 aos menores de idade. Em 1938, através do decreto _ 399 surge o direito ao adicional de insalubridade, vinculado à implantação do salário mínimo, determinando-se a elaboração de uma listagem das atividades em indústrias insalubres e em 1939 uma portaria foi publicada legalizando os referidos quadros. A partir de 1965 as condições insalubres de trabalho foram regulamentadas pela Portaria _ 491 modificada com pequenas alterações em 1967 e consolidada pela Norma Regulamentadora _ 15 (NR 15) "Atividades e Operações Insalubres" instituída, por sua vez, pela Portaria _ 3.214/78 que se mantêm praticamente inalterada até os dias de hoje. Muitos processos são abertos com o pedido do adicional de insalubridade, e, neste contexto este estudo será realizado. OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar processos judiciais de pedido de adicional de insalubridade quanto ao perfil dos litigantes, aos agentes insalubres, aos aspectos periciais e a sentença proferida. Realizar alguns estudos de caso para compreender a dinâmica de uma solicitação de adicional de insalubridade. MÉTODOS: Estudo documental exploratório de processos judiciais procedentes do Fórum Trabalhista de Campinas - 15a Região, contendo a instrução processual. Assim, foram levantados trinta processos em cinco das doze Varas do Trabalho existentes em Campinas, contemplando a análise documental da petição inicial, da contestação, do laudo pericial, da impugnação, dos pareceres de assistentes técnicos, dos quesitos das partes litigantes e a sentença. Em sequência, foram selecionadas qualitativamente as variáveis do estudo, às quais foram ordenadas, tabuladas e estruturadas sendo dispostas em formulários para a petição inicial, laudo, impugnação e sentença. Para casos singulares, dos trinta processos estudados, foram realizados três estudos de casos, com o histórico da demanda, os resultados da perícia e a sentença do juiz. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: A respeito dos processos estudados, algumas divergências foram apontadas nos laudos. Os peritos e assistentes técnicos apresentam diferentes dados, indicando distintas abordagens. A sentença do juiz sofre influências em função da qualidade destes laudos o que poderia determinar um julgamento favorável ou não ao trabalhador. Em relação à qualidade dos laudos, destaca-se a expertise, onde a formação, experiência e certa cultura de origem devem ser apontadas; outro fator se relaciona ao próprio contexto do processo, onde a implicação dos diferentes atores sociais afeta a qualidade das informações obtidas. Neste contexto, tem-se a considerar a decalagem entre o momento das atividades exercidas pelo trabalhador e o momento da realização da perícia, período no qual podem ter ocorrido alterações substanciais das situações de trabalho. Em relação às sentenças, entre as variáveis, uma importante refere-se ao laudo pericial; entretanto no seu julgamento (qualidade avaliada pelo juiz), outros meios de prova são considerados, como a oitiva de testemunhas. CONCLUSÕES: Observa-se que os julgamentos tendem a aceitar os argumentos periciais constatando-se a presença de agentes insalubres, confirmando assim, o adicional de insalubridade, e de forma geral, o baixo controle sobre as condições de trabalho, com a persistência da exposição aos agentes de risco à saúde / Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The term insalubrity first appears in Brazilian legislation in 1932 related to the prohibition of female labor, and in 1943 related to children labour. In 1938, by the decree _ 399, it was created the right to the "hazard pay" linked to the implementation of the minimum wage. This act determined the establishment of a listing of activities in insalubrious industries and in 1939, a regulation was published legalizing the mentioned listing. Since 1965, the insalubrious working conditions have been regulated by the decree _ 491 which was modified with minor changes in 1967 and consolidated by the Regulatory Norm nº 15, "Insalubrious Activities and Operations", established by the Act _ 3.214/78, unchanged to nowadays. Many civil actions demand the application of the insalubrity premium. It is in this context that this study is conducted. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to characterize the mentioned actions according to: the profile of the litigants, the insalubrious agents, the expertise aspects and the sentence given. Carry out some case studies in order to better understand the dynamics of a request for the additional by insalubrity. METHODS: A documentary exploration of lawsuits coming from the Labor Forum of Campinas - 15th Region, containing procedural instructions. Thus, thirty cases were selected in five of the twelve Labor Courts in the region, contemplating the documentary analysis of the application, the defense, the expert report, the impugnation, the technical assistant's opinions, the litigant's questions and the sentence. Following, we selected the qualitative variables which were sorted, tabulated and structured. Quantitative data was arranged in initial petition, report, appeal and sentencing forms. For singular cases, three were conducted concerning the historical demand, the results of the expertise and the judge's sentence. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Concerning the studied litigations, some discrepancies in the expertise reports were pointed out. The experts and technical assistants have presented different data in the reports, thus, indicating distinctive approaches. The judge's sentence is influenced by the quality of these reports which could determine whether a positive verdict or not for the employee. In relation to the quality of the reports, the expertise training, experience and background culture must be pointed out; another factor relates to the context of the lawsuit itself, where the involvement of different social actors affects the quality of the information obtained. We still have to consider the gap between the activities performed by the worker and the moment the technical report was carried out, when substantial changes could have occurred in the work place. Regarding the judicial sentences, an important variable refers to the expert report; however, during its assessment (quality carried out by the judge), other evidences are also considered, such as the hearing of witnesses. CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that the judgments tend to consider the expert arguments noting the presence of insalubrious agents, thus, confirming the right to the hazard pay, and generally, the low control over working conditions with the persistent exposure to health risk agents / Mestrado / Política, Planejamento e Gestão em Saúde / Mestre em Saude Coletiva

Tendo como premissas a conformação constitucional do Estado de Direito e das garantias processuais, este estudo pretende ser uma contribuição à dicsussão acerca da utilização da prova pericial, sua admissibilidade, valoração controle, no sistema processual brasileiro. O Estado Democrático de Direito impõe aos seus agentes a motivação, não somente das decisões judiciais, mas de todos os atos que tenham cunho decisório, e imponham alguma restrição, por menor que seja, à liberdade do indivíduo. Por sua vez, o contraditório, expressão do princípio político da participação democrática, afirma a necessidade de possibilitar a participação do indivíduo na formação de uma decisão que afete sua esfera de interesses. A orientação do processo como instrumento a serviço da realização da justiça, e da construção de decisões justas, pressupõe o correto acertamento da verdade fática. Isto impõe que seja adotada uma concepção do fenômeno probatório que a compreenda como um instrumento demonstrativo e epistemológico. Nessa perspectiva, a utilização da prova pericial, especialmente aquelas que se revestem de cunho científico, se mostra um eficaz meio da obtenção da verdade no processo, desde que, tais provas sejam relevantes e confiáveis, demonstrando a necessidade de seu controle. / Taking as premises the conformation of the constitutional rule of law and procedural safeguards, this study is a contribution to the dicsussion about the use of expert evidence, its admissibility, and valuation control, at the Brazilian procedural system. The Democratic State imposes on its agents the motivation, not only of judgments, but of all the acts that have decision-making matrix, and impose some restrictions, however small, in the freedom of the individual. In turn, the contradictory, expression of political principle of democratic participation, says the need to enable participation of the individual in forming a decision that affects their area of interest. The orientation of the process as a tool in the service of achieving justice, and the construction of fair decisions, presupposes a correct assertion of factual truth. This requires that adopted a conception of the phenomenon that the evidence as a tool to understand and epistemological statement. From this perspective, the use of expert testimony, especially those which are of a scientific nature, proves an effective means of obtaining the truth in the process, provided that such evidence is relevant and reliable, demonstrating the need for its control.

Tendo como premissas a conformação constitucional do Estado de Direito e das garantias processuais, este estudo pretende ser uma contribuição à dicsussão acerca da utilização da prova pericial, sua admissibilidade, valoração controle, no sistema processual brasileiro. O Estado Democrático de Direito impõe aos seus agentes a motivação, não somente das decisões judiciais, mas de todos os atos que tenham cunho decisório, e imponham alguma restrição, por menor que seja, à liberdade do indivíduo. Por sua vez, o contraditório, expressão do princípio político da participação democrática, afirma a necessidade de possibilitar a participação do indivíduo na formação de uma decisão que afete sua esfera de interesses. A orientação do processo como instrumento a serviço da realização da justiça, e da construção de decisões justas, pressupõe o correto acertamento da verdade fática. Isto impõe que seja adotada uma concepção do fenômeno probatório que a compreenda como um instrumento demonstrativo e epistemológico. Nessa perspectiva, a utilização da prova pericial, especialmente aquelas que se revestem de cunho científico, se mostra um eficaz meio da obtenção da verdade no processo, desde que, tais provas sejam relevantes e confiáveis, demonstrando a necessidade de seu controle. / Taking as premises the conformation of the constitutional rule of law and procedural safeguards, this study is a contribution to the dicsussion about the use of expert evidence, its admissibility, and valuation control, at the Brazilian procedural system. The Democratic State imposes on its agents the motivation, not only of judgments, but of all the acts that have decision-making matrix, and impose some restrictions, however small, in the freedom of the individual. In turn, the contradictory, expression of political principle of democratic participation, says the need to enable participation of the individual in forming a decision that affects their area of interest. The orientation of the process as a tool in the service of achieving justice, and the construction of fair decisions, presupposes a correct assertion of factual truth. This requires that adopted a conception of the phenomenon that the evidence as a tool to understand and epistemological statement. From this perspective, the use of expert testimony, especially those which are of a scientific nature, proves an effective means of obtaining the truth in the process, provided that such evidence is relevant and reliable, demonstrating the need for its control.

Since the 1970s there has been a rising trend in South Africa for legal professionals to use the services of psychologists in legal proceedings. Psychologists have therefore increasingly started to appear as expert witnesses in court cases. Despite this, the field of forensic psychology in South Africa has yet to be defined and delineated. Currently there are no set guidelines or regulations regarding who is qualified to do forensic work, and no standards against which this work can be measured. Psychology in the courtroom has begun to receive a notorious reputation as a result of this. The Professional Board for Psychology (PBP) of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is investigating the creation of a new category of registration, that of Forensic Psychologist, partly in an effort to manage and address this problem. However, to date little, if any, research has been conducted on the scope of the work presented to the courts by psychologists appearing as expert witnesses. This research aimed to address this gap by analysing a sample of forensic psychological reports. The following aspects were investigated: <ul><li>Who (category or registration, length of registration, etc.) is doing sentencing reports;</li> <li>How (interviews, collateral information, psychometric tests, etc.) these reports are compiled; and</li> <li>Whether these reports measure up to professional expectations as well as adhere to the guidelines of the HPCSA.</li></ul> It is clear from the results of this research that some of the psychologists doing forensic assessments and writing reports do so in an idiosyncratic way. Besides the fact that no uniformity exists, forensic work is sometimes done by psychologists who are not qualified to do so in terms of their registration category and thus their scope of practice. The reports analysed did not always measure up to guidelines or professional standards from abroad (in lieu of local standards or guidelines for reports) and/or transgressions were made in terms of HPCSA policies and guidelines. This situation is understandable in the light of two shortfalls in this field, namely training and regulation. The following recommendations can be made on the basis of this study: <ul><li>That psychologists who are adequately trained and have the proven experience in forensic work, be accredited by the PBP;</li> <li>That guidelines and standards for forensic work be drawn up by the PBP; in addition, that more complete ethical guidelines than those contained in chapter 7 of the PBP’s Rules of Conduct Pertaining Specifically to Psychology also be drawn up;</li> <li>That adequate training at MA level in basic forensic issues be made compulsory, with the option of advanced training for those wishing to specialise in the field; and</li> <li>That lawyers be trained in basic concepts of psychology so as to allow for better selection of an appropriate psychologist to assist them and also to assure effective cross-examination regarding psychological issues in court.</li></ul> If these recommendations were implemented, they could aid in regulating the field, thus producing forensic work of a consistently high quality. This will hopefully help to narrow the gap between the expected and actual interaction between law and psychology. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted