The intervention of the Psychologist in the Pre-constituted trial. A new professional challenge.

Abstract

The implementation of the Pre-constituted Test in the Spanish Courts and Tribunals is a new challenge for Legal Psychology in having to assume the functions of obtaining a declaration from the especially vulnerable victims and minors immersed in judicial proceedings. The Unit of Forensic Psychology of the IMLCF of Valencia assumes the practice of this test especially in matters of sexual abuse and child mistreatment. This article presents a model or procedure for obtaining testimony based on the application of cognitive interviewing techniques and the foundations of the Psychology of Testimony about the functioning of memory. The objective is to obtain an accurate and credible testimony about the crime that contributes to the clarification of the facts investigated.

The article finishes with a consideration about the need of combining efforts between Law and Psychology to ensure the effectiveness of the test, with training by the experts and good use of it by the Courts of Justice