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Psychologists as expert witnesses: survey results from the expert witness advisory group (EWAG)

Leam A. Craig the Expert Witness Advisory Group (EWAG) (Forensic Psychology Practice Ltd, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK; School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK and School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK)

The Journal of Forensic Practice

ISSN: 2050-8794

Article publication date: 16 June 2021

Issue publication date: 27 July 2021

559

Abstract

Purpose

In January 2013, new court procedure rules were introduced in England and Wales, which resulted in significant changes to the instruction of expert witness psychologists (EWPsychs). This study aims to build on the results of previous survey studies of psychologists working as expert witnesses in identifying the current challenges faced by EWPsychs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-methods design, a sample 58 practicing psychologist expert witnesses were surveyed, and qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Six overarching themes emerged from the online survey data: training and knowledge, changes to procedure rules and Legal Aid Authority fees, quality of reports, pressures to change opinion, conflict with EWPsychs and expert witness feedback. Over a third of psychologists working as expert witness have not received specific expert witness training, with a quarter of respondents indicating that the capped legal aid fees are a determining factor in whether they accept instruction as an expert witness, and almost two-third of respondents believing that the legal aid rates do not accurately reflect the work that they do.

Practical implications

There is clear demand for high-quality EWPsychs and a need to develop expert witness training programmes and guidance documents to better support the next generation of EWPsychs.

Originality/value

These results inform existing policy, clinical practice and guidance documents in supporting psychologists working as expert witnesses.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the assistance and support of Hannah Farndon and Sunarika Sahota in conducting this research and to the British Psychological Society, Professional Practice Board and Research Board in supporting this research.Conflict of interest statement: The British Psychological Society supported this research study, provided approval and granted access to their database of members. No funding was provided. The conclusions reported here do not represent the British Psychological Society.

Citation

Craig, L.A. (2021), "Psychologists as expert witnesses: survey results from the expert witness advisory group (EWAG)", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 77-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-11-2020-0048

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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