Child Witnesses in Scottish Criminal Trials * †

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the first British study to record systematically observations of children giving evidence in criminal trials. Psychologists watched a total of 89 children aged between 5–15 years being examined as prosecution witnesses in a wide range of riminal cases being heard in the District, Sheriff and High Courts of Glasgow, Scotland. Ratings were made of the child's demeanour and of the lawyers' questioning techniques. Most children were able to give their evidence reasonably well; nevertheless a third of them did appear tense and unhappy while in the witness box. The results are discussed in the context of recent attempts to reform the procedures for hearing and testing children's evidence in British criminal courts.