Abstract

SABORIO VALVERDE, M.Sc. Carlos  and  VIQUEZ HIDALGO, M.Psc. Eugenia. Myths concerning forensic psychological assessment in child sexual aggression cases: The need of a change of paradigm. Med. leg. Costa Rica [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.2, pp.51-85. ISSN 2215-5287.

This article discusses several myths concerning forensic psychological assessment in child sexual aggression cases. Some descriptive results are presented in terms of different variables associated with this kind of evaluations at the "Sección de Psiquiatría y Psicología Forense del Departamento de Medicina Legal" (Section of Psychiatry and Forensic Psychology of the Legal Medicine Department) during 2004. Three specific myths are revised taking into account the specialized literature: the credibility of testimonies, the consequences of sexual abuse and clinical diagnoses. Finally, a change of paradigm is proposed in this kind of psychological assessment cases.

Keywords : Sexual abuse; sexual aggression; psychological assessment; forensic assessment principles; forensic assessment models; credibility; sexual abuse consequences; clinical diagnoses; functional abilities; forensic assessment protocols.

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