Forensic psychologist testimony in child custody evaluation cases substantially influences judicial decisions that shape children's lives and family structures for years to come. These high stakes reports come with considerable professional risk, which can be effectively mitigated with appropriate approaches and strategies. The adversarial nature of custody proceedings, combined with the emotional intensity inherent to these cases, creates an environment where ethical missteps can damage professional credibility, harm families, and expose evaluators to licensing complaints or civil liability. Understanding common pitfalls and developing strategies to avoid them is essential for any forensic psychologist who provides expert testimony in family court.
When forensic psychologists fail to maintain appropriate boundaries, express opinions beyond what can be clearly attributed to data, succumb to bias, or neglect documentation requirements, the resulting testimony may lead courts toward decisions that do not serve children's best interests. Parents may receive custody arrangements that fail to account for genuine risks or protective factors, and some will challenge the forensic psychologist simply because they were disappointed with the result. Children may be placed in situations that compromise their safety or psychological development. The integrity of the forensic psychology profession itself suffers when practitioners provide testimony that cannot withstand scrutiny. Navigating the ethical and legal landscape of custody testimony demands both theoretical understanding and practical vigilance.