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Historical Truth, Narrative Truth, And Expert Testimony, Marianne Wesson

Washington Law Review

This article examines studies tending to cast doubt on the existence of any special faculty that enables psychoanalytically trained experts to discern the historical truth. It then illustrates, by examining the events at one trial, the distortions in the trial process that can arise when experts do purport to resolve issues of historical truth. Finally, it suggests some solutions to the problems described.