David v. State

OPINION

MANNHEIMER, Judge.

Randall E. David was indicted for sexually abusing his stepdaughter. At his trial, David presented the testimony of Dr. David Raskin, a psychologist specializing in the study of human memory and, in particular, the effect that interviewing techniques have on a child's memory.

Dr. Raskin testified that all people, and especially young children, are susceptible to the phenomenon of "suggestion". That is, a person's memories can be distorted if they are asked questions that suggest the truth of particular facts or events. Based on his review of the state trooper…