In re M. Z.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Minna R. Buck, J.

On motion of respondents, a pretrial hearing was held concerning the admissibility in a fact-finding proceeding under *565article 10 of the Family Court Act of certain evidence obtained through a technique known as "facilitated communication”. (See below.) At the conclusion of petitioner’s proof, respondents moved to preclude such testimony on the grounds that petitioner had failed to present a prima facie case as to its admissibility.

NATURE OF THE EVIDENCE

As described to the court, "facilitated communication” is a technique whereby the "speaker’s” hand,…