While the question of the reliability of children?s testimony has been discussed for hundreds of years, it has only been researched on an effective scale in the past 30 years. Uniquely covering the topics court and clinical personnel need, this book discusses how to interact with children who have been victims of crime, how to work with children who are perpetrators of crime, and the basic laws related to children. This book brings together psychologists, lawyers, and social workers to present practice-based knowledge to improve judicial and child welfare systems.

MATTHEW FANETTI, PHD., is a Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of Forensic Child Psychology Certification at Missouri State University.

WILLIAM T. O'DONOHUE, PHD., Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno, is also a licensed clinical psychologist.

RACHEL N. FONDREN HAPPEL, M.S., is a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office for Victim Assistance.

KRESTA N. DALY, J.D., is a partner at Barth Daly LLP.

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix

Part I Basic Principles

1 Introduction to Forensic Psychology 3

2 Social and Behavioral Psychology 29

3 Understanding Psychopathology and Disruptive Behavior 57

4 Memory 83

Part II Applied Principles in Child Abuse

5 Child Abuse and Neglect 105

6 Internet Exploitation of Children 125

7 Process of Forensic Interviewing 145

8 Understanding Pedophilia 167

9 The Treatment of the Sexually Abused Child 189

Part III Understanding the Law

10 Understanding What It Is to Be an Expert Witness 221

11 An Overview of the U.S. Legal System 241

12 Mandated Reporters 265

13 Juveniles and the Justice System 289

Author Index 311

Subject Index 315