Judges' views on evidence of genetic contributions to mental disorders in court

Content Provider	Scilit
Author	Berryessa, Colleen M.
Copyright Year	2016
Description	This preliminary analysis assesses how judges view the use of behavioral genetics evidence on genetic influences to mental disorders in court. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews, analyzed using constant comparative analysis, were conducted with California trial court judges. Most judges reported the beneficial effects of this evidence being presented in court, particularly as a mitigating factor for sentencing. Yet some judges viewed it as an aggravating factor and expressed concerns about genetic privacy. Judges described initial reactions to being potentially presented with evidence on genetic influences to mental disorders as apprehension, curiosity, and sympathy. Judges also reported putting significant trust in experts on these issues. Findings suggest some judges are skeptical of this evidence, but largely open to its presentation. Sympathetic reactions may result in mitigating attitudes of some judges. As judges significantly trust experts, some judges could also be overly trusting of genetic evidence and expert opinion on these issues.
Related Links	http://europepmc.org/articles/pmc5006742?pdf=render https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5006742/pdf
Ending Page	600
Page Count	15
Starting Page	586
ISSN	14789949
e-ISSN	14789957
DOI	10.1080/14789949.2016.1173718
Journal	The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology
Issue Number	4
Volume Number	27
Language	English
Publisher	Informa UK Limited
Publisher Date	2016-02-23
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Journal: The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology Medical Ethics Judges Court Behavioral Genetics Mental Disorder Expert Witness
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Clinical Psychology Psychiatry and Mental Health