RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 “False Confessions” and Identification with the Aggressor: Another Forensic Misuse of a Psychiatric Concept
JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
SP 143
OP 151
VO 18
IS 2
A1 Perr, Irwin N.
YR 1990
UL http://jaapl.org/content/18/2/143.abstract
AB Some psychiatrists misuse theoretical concepts beyond their generally accepted dimensions in an attempt to support a conclusion favorable to a litigant or defendant. In the case presented, the concept of identification with the aggressor was used in an attempt to eliminate or minimize the effect of a confession and to buttress the claim that the confession itself was false. Quotations from the actual reports and testimony are used to reflect both this tactic and the context in which these issues were pursued, including a rather startling admission by the psychiatrist dealing with the thorouahness of his Professional effort. A brief historv of “identification with the aggressor” is presented, a history which contrasts wich its application to rather routine police questioning. Similarly, skepticism is clearly merited when a psychiatrist testifies as to truthfulness or falsity of a statement.