The text is designed for use by lawyers, police officers, mental health professionals, physicians, and others. Individual sections focus on the concept of evidence, the competency requirement, the accusatorial system, the rule against hearsay, the use of videotapes, corroboration, and the use of expert assistance. The discussion also examines the stressful effects of having to give evidence and the results of recent research regarding children's memory abilities, their tendency to fantasize, and their susceptibility to coaching. Finally, the text considers how other legal systems deal with child witnesses and child victims and reviews recent proposals to reform the law in the United Kingdom. Figures, chapter notes, index, and 514 references (Publisher summary modified)