Research article summary (published 30 Dec 1977):

Incest hoax: false accusations, false denials.

Full Abstract

Expertise in investigating incest accusations is essential for psychiatrists because the law requires the reporting of sexual abuse of children. In such cases persistent and methodical investigation tends to yield a consensually credible view of what really happened without resort to special forensic techniques of truth-finding. In order to make a diagnosis of incest hoax, the investigator must thoroughly understand the mechanics of the hoax and the psychodynamics of the perpetrator. Failure to recognizing a delusional hoax can delay treatment for the perpetrator of the hoax. Failure to recognize a child's fabrication can subject the family to unnecessary legal action and unwittingly support the use of a similar manipulative technique by other susceptible children. Failure to recognize the false retraction of an incest accusation may leave the victim in danger of further sexual abuse or of physical punishment for having revealed the secret.

Author information

Author/s: Goodwin, J (J); Sahd, D (D); Rada, R T (RT);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (Bull Am Acad Psychiatry Law), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1978-; vol 6 (issue 3) : pp 269-76

Dates: Created 1979/09/17; Completed 1979/09/17; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 752367, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adolescent Adult Child Deception Fantasy Female

Forensic Psychiatry Humans Incest Lie Detection Male Psychology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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