PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Roy Lacoursiere
TI  - Commentary: Observations and Concerns on the Bigendering of Our Forensic Fields
DP  - 2012 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 498--501
VI  - 40
IP  - 4
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/40/4/498.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/40/4/498.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2012 Dec 01; 40
AB  - The study by Neal et al. of mock jurors in the penalty phase of a homicide case led me to observations on gender changes over the past few decades in the professions of law and forensic psychiatry and psychology. From an earlier paucity of women in these professions, today their percentages have greatly increased. Yet, as in this study, there are differences that work to the advantage of men in how the genders are perceived as expert witnesses. Suggestions for addressing gender discrepancy are offered, along with a cautionary note, such as in the area of experts in cases involving abortion.