Psychological Adverse Expert's Report in a Case of Child Sexual Abuse

Background/Objective: The expert report is a tool used by the forensic psychologist to scientifically support the psychological evaluation and communicate his or her decision regarding the expert object to the legal operator. However, psychological assessments elaborated for these types of cases often use protocols and emit conclusions without the accuracy and rigor required for the judicial context. It is common that these do not present a proper structure, or a logical continuity that integrates the results, and that their considerations are unclear or contradictory due to an incorrect choice of evaluation techniques. Method: This article presents an expert counter-report where the structure, content, methodology, and conclusions of a psychological expert report based on the Statement Reality Analysis (SVA) technique are analyzed. The report evaluates the truthfulness of the testimony of an alleged minor victim of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), which is the typical evidence used in Legal Medicine and Forensic Science Institutes. Results: The analysis and review of the report revealed deficiencies in the method, premises, and conclusions. Conclusions: It is concluded that the quality assessment of psychological reports as the evidence used in CSA cases based on the SVA must be systematically cross-checked to verify the compliance with the scientific, legal, and jurisprudential standards.