Children's evidence - Scottish research and law

The authors first present an outline of recent concern in Scotland regarding children's ability to act as witnesses, followed by a summary of the Scottish rules of evidence governing children's testimony in both criminal and civil cases. Next, they review the main findings from two programs of psychological research into children's evidence in criminal cases funded by the Scottish Home and Health Department. The first project examined children's eyewitness memory, their knowledge of the legal system, and their ability to give evidence in criminal trials. The second study evaluated the first trial period of the video link system for child witnesses in Scottish courts.