Policy statement - Expert witness participation in civil and criminal proceedings

Gary N. McAbee; Jeffrey L. Brown; Steven M. Donn; Jose L. Gonzalez; David Marcus; William M. McDonnell; Robert A. Mendelson; Charles H. Deitschel; Lisa M. Hollier; C. Morrison Farish; Holly Myers; Sally L. Reynolds; Julie Kersten Ake

doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1132

Policy statement - Expert witness participation in civil and criminal proceedings

Gary N. McAbee, Jeffrey L. Brown, Steven M. Donn, Jose L. Gonzalez, David Marcus, William M. McDonnell, Robert A. Mendelson, Charles H. Deitschel, Lisa M. Hollier, C. Morrison Farish, Holly Myers, Sally L. Reynolds, Julie Kersten Ake

Pediatrics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interests of the public and both the medical and legal professions are best served when scientifically sound and unbiased expert witness testimony is readily available in civil and criminal proceedings. As members of the medical community, patient advocates, and private citizens, pediatricians have ethical and professional obligations to assist in the administration of justice. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the adoption of the recommendations outlined in this statement will improve the quality of medical expert witness testimony in legal proceedings and, thereby, increase the probability of achieving outcomes that are fair, honest, and equitable. Strategies for enforcing guidance and promoting oversight of expert witnesses are proposed.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	428-438
Number of pages	11
Journal	Pediatrics
Volume	124
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1132
State	Published - Jul 2009

Keywords

Expert witness
Legal and ethical standards
Oversight
Peer review

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1542/peds.2009-1132

Cite this

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title = "Policy statement - Expert witness participation in civil and criminal proceedings",

abstract = "The interests of the public and both the medical and legal professions are best served when scientifically sound and unbiased expert witness testimony is readily available in civil and criminal proceedings. As members of the medical community, patient advocates, and private citizens, pediatricians have ethical and professional obligations to assist in the administration of justice. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the adoption of the recommendations outlined in this statement will improve the quality of medical expert witness testimony in legal proceedings and, thereby, increase the probability of achieving outcomes that are fair, honest, and equitable. Strategies for enforcing guidance and promoting oversight of expert witnesses are proposed.",

keywords = "Expert witness, Legal and ethical standards, Oversight, Peer review",

author = "McAbee, {Gary N.} and Brown, {Jeffrey L.} and Donn, {Steven M.} and Gonzalez, {Jose L.} and David Marcus and McDonnell, {William M.} and Mendelson, {Robert A.} and Deitschel, {Charles H.} and Hollier, {Lisa M.} and Farish, {C. Morrison} and Holly Myers and Reynolds, {Sally L.} and Ake, {Julie Kersten}",

year = "2009",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1542/peds.2009-1132",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "124",

pages = "428--438",

journal = "Pediatrics",

issn = "0031-4005",

publisher = "American Academy of Pediatrics",

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T1 - Policy statement - Expert witness participation in civil and criminal proceedings

AU - McAbee, Gary N.

AU - Brown, Jeffrey L.

AU - Donn, Steven M.

AU - Gonzalez, Jose L.

AU - Marcus, David

AU - McDonnell, William M.

AU - Mendelson, Robert A.

AU - Deitschel, Charles H.

AU - Hollier, Lisa M.

AU - Farish, C. Morrison

AU - Myers, Holly

AU - Reynolds, Sally L.

AU - Ake, Julie Kersten

PY - 2009/7

Y1 - 2009/7

N2 - The interests of the public and both the medical and legal professions are best served when scientifically sound and unbiased expert witness testimony is readily available in civil and criminal proceedings. As members of the medical community, patient advocates, and private citizens, pediatricians have ethical and professional obligations to assist in the administration of justice. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the adoption of the recommendations outlined in this statement will improve the quality of medical expert witness testimony in legal proceedings and, thereby, increase the probability of achieving outcomes that are fair, honest, and equitable. Strategies for enforcing guidance and promoting oversight of expert witnesses are proposed.

AB - The interests of the public and both the medical and legal professions are best served when scientifically sound and unbiased expert witness testimony is readily available in civil and criminal proceedings. As members of the medical community, patient advocates, and private citizens, pediatricians have ethical and professional obligations to assist in the administration of justice. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the adoption of the recommendations outlined in this statement will improve the quality of medical expert witness testimony in legal proceedings and, thereby, increase the probability of achieving outcomes that are fair, honest, and equitable. Strategies for enforcing guidance and promoting oversight of expert witnesses are proposed.

KW - Expert witness

KW - Legal and ethical standards

KW - Oversight

KW - Peer review

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U2 - 10.1542/peds.2009-1132

DO - 10.1542/peds.2009-1132

M3 - Review article

C2 - 19564330

AN - SCOPUS:67649587142

SN - 0031-4005

VL - 124

SP - 428

EP - 438

JO - Pediatrics

JF - Pediatrics

IS - 1

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Policy statement - Expert witness participation in civil and criminal proceedings

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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