Expert testimony regarding child sexual abuse.

Expert testimony plays an important role in child sexual abuse litigation in criminal, juvenile, and family courts. This article discusses legal issues relating to expert testimony, including: (a) when expert testimony is permitted, (b) qualifications of expert witnesses on child sexual abuse, (c) permissible bases supporting expert testimony, (d) expert testimony on ultimate factual and legal issues, (e) the reasonable certainty standard of expert testimony, (f) the inappropriateness of equating clinical decision making with the legal degrees of proof, and (g) application of the doctrine of res judicata in litigation regarding child sexual abuse in family court. The article also provides a summary of contemporary case law regarding expert testimony offered in child sexual abuse litigation.