000			02328nam a2200349Ia 4500
001			112623
005			20250625151245.0
008			110331s2000 eng
040			_aWSS _dAFV
082	0		_a347.075 EFF
100			_aAlley, Natasha _9705
245			_aThe effectiveness of expert witnesses in the New Zealand criminal justice system _cAlley, Natasha
246			_aHonours dissertation LL.B. (Hons.) University of Waikato.
260			_aHamilton _bUniversity of Waikato _c2000
300			_a63 p.
365			_a00 _b0
500			_aHonours dissertation LL.B. (Hons.) University of Waikato.
520			_aThis honours dissertation examines the role of expert witnesses in the New Zealand criminal justice system. In particular, the focus is expert evidence in child sexual abuse and battered woman syndrome cases. This is an area of great controversy, both from the perspective of society and the courts. The primary aim of this thesis is to shed light on the issues surrounding expert witnesses and to provide some thoughts for future reform in this area of the law. The dissertation follows a general to specific structure. After an introductory chapter on what expert evidence is and why expert witnesses should be studied, chapter 2 discusses the role and deficiencies of expert witnesses in general. Chapter 3 then examines the assistance that expert witnesses provide the fact finder in the specific scenario of child sexual abuse cases. Expert witnesses in battered woman syndrome cases are also assessed in chapter 4. Recommendations for reform options for expert witnesses are discussed in chapter 5. The dissertation concludes that while experts do play an important role in assisting the fact finder, the current legal rules and legal system within which such witnesses operate, does not serve to best utilise their expertise.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
522			_anz
650	2	7	_2FVC _aABUSED MEN _924
650	2	7	_2FVC _aCHILDREN _9127
650	2	7	_2FVC _aDOMESTIC VIOLENCE _9203
650	2	7	_2FVC _aJUSTICE _9333
650	2	7	_2FVC _aLEGISLATION _9346
650	2	7	_2FVC _aTHESES _9606
650	2	7	_2FVC _aWOMEN _9645
650	2	7	_9431 _aINTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE _2FVC
650	2	7	_9103 _aCHILD ABUSE _2FVC
650	2	4	_aSEXUAL VIOLENCE _9531
651	2	4	_aNEW ZEALAND _92588
942			_2ddc _cTHESIS
999			_c3210 _d3210