This collection of work by legal and social science scholars shows how social science research can inform laws and policy related to children's interactions with the legal system. The book examines forensic interviews with children, and children's needs and rights in the criminal justice system. Psychological research into children's development is used to evaluate current legal procedures and policies, and recommendations for reform are given. Specific topics addressed include the reliability of children's abuse disclosures and eyewitness testimony, suggestibility and traumatic memories, children's reactions to dependency court, links between victimization and later offending, special issues of girl offenders, and jurors' perceptions of child victims, witnesses, and offenders. The book's readership includes clinicians, legal professionals, social workers, medical personnel, and others involved in child maltreatment cases. Bottoms teaches psychology at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)