Forensic evaluations of battered women defendants: Relevant data to be applied to elements of self-defense

Diane R. Follingstad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

There has been no model of the relevant information that forensic experts should collect from battered women defendants for testifying in court in support of self-defense claims. This article proposes such a model, addressing the mental state of battered women at the time they killed their partners. Many killings of partners by battered women should be considered appropriate for self-defense claims, even when the fact situations do not appear to fit "classic" self-defense criteria. Forensic experts have an important role in bringing jurors to an understanding of how many battered womens' actions resulting in the death of a partner actually fit self-defense laws by explaining the fit between the facts of the case and the typical criteria of self-defense.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)165-178
Number of pages14
JournalApplied and Preventive Psychology
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Battered women and self-defense
  • Battered women defendants
  • Forensic evaluations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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