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The Tao of Daubert

By Richard West
October 30, 2008

All too often, the outcome of a “child custody dispute” will turn upon the recommendations contained within the custodial or parenting plan evaluation of the psychological expert. This first of a two-part article contains: 1) a brief review of Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923) and Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993) standards; 2) an exploration of why evaluations are so rarely challenged by Frye/Daubert hearings; and 3) the foundation for a meaningful review of the evaluation under either Frye or Daubert standards. For those of you less familiar with Frye and Daubert, here is a brief review.

Frye and Daubert

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