CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
...Opinion & Scientific Evidence
......Forensic Issues
.........Sanity & Mental Processes
............Child Sex. Abuse Accom. Synd. (CSAAS)
 23 Cards On This Topic:
  • CSAAS evidence is admissible to rehabilitate credibility when D suggests that M’s conduct after the incident–e.g., a delay in reporting–is inconsistent with their testimony claiming molestation.
  • Trial ct. properly admitted CSAAS-equivalent expert testimony focused on dispelling myths or misconceptions about how CSA victims might be expected to act.
  • No error in admitting expert's testimony on CSAAS statistics to show how often abused Cs know their abuser, and how often they delayed reporting, when used for victim credibility, not as vouching.
  • CSAAS properly admitted to disabuse jurors of commonly held myths or misconceptions about child sexual abuse.
  • CSAAS evidence is not admissible to prove the complaining witness has in fact been sexually abused.
  • The great majority of courts approve of CSAAS expert rebuttal testimony.
  • Trial court had no sua sponte duty to give the pattern jury instruction explaining the limited purpose of expert testimony on the CSAAS.
  • Because of lack of more substantial record, D could not offer a persuasive challenge to the admissibility of CSAAS evidence; Court declined to overturn settled law on subject.
  • Trial court properly excluded testimony by defense expert as to the "usual" reactions of trauma victims, offered to show demeanor of minor victim was inconsistent with having been molested.
  • Expert testimony properly admitted during DA's case-in-chief to rehabilitate recanting V's earlier testimony and to explain delay in reporting sexual abuse.
  • CSAAS permitted to explain misconceptions about abuse to jury, but not for purpose of demonstrating abuse.
  • Expert testimony on Child Sex Abuse Accommodation Syndrome properly introduced on limited issue of V's state of mind in delaying report of molest; may be part of case in chief.
  • Expert's testimony properly addressed V's credibility after defense cross-exam of V; objections waived by not bringing at trial and by inviting expert's answers on cross-exam.
  • CSAAS permitted to explain delay in reporting molestation.
  • Expert testimony re CSAAS properly admitted in case-in-chief to rehabilitate V's credibility.
  • CSAAS limited to why minor's behavior not inconsistent with her testimony that she was molested; DA must identify misconceptions which expert testimony designed to dispel.
  • Physician examining minor for physical evidence of sexual abuse properly permitted to testify re CSAAS, where latter not directed at minor.
  • CSAAS evidence inadmissible to prove molestation occurred.
  • CSAAS not shown to satisfy Kelly-Frye test; showing required for new technique. Kelly-Frye test applies to administrative hearings.
  • Evidence of child molest syndrome inadmissible to prove molest at dependency hearing.
  • Expert testimony explaining delay in child's reporting sexual abuse permissible, as long as does not express opinion as to truthfulness; Kelly-Frye not available.
  • Bledsoe properly applied to child molest cases; testimony cannot be used to diagnose V as having been molested.
  • Court properly admitted expert testimony on general behavioral characteristics exhibited by minor Vs of sex abuse; not improper bolstering of minor V's testimony.


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