Although the role of social science research in the family law system has been the subject of scholarly research for some time, less attention has been paid to how operating within the legal system might influence the work of social science and related expert witnesses who perform in that space. This article reports on interviews with family report writers, social science or similar expert witnesses, who provide assessments for the Australian family courts in contested cases about post-separation children’s arrangements. It explores the impact of the law, or how those professionals perceive the law is applied, and the complexity of the family law system on these expert witnesses, particularly when working with families with allegations of domestic and family violence. The study shows that the participants are deeply acculturated to the legal system. They know how to speak its language and are aware of the different audiences they speak to including the court, the lawyers and the parents. Although an understanding of the legal context is essential for expert witnesses, the study suggests that the legal system, and their experience of it, may influence their assessment framework, affect their recommendations, and consequently impact parenting orders. Although this article investigates the situation in Australia, the results raise questions for similar family law jurisdictions which rely on family assessment reports.

中文翻译：

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法律中的社会科学家：澳大利亚家庭法系统中家庭评估专家的案例研究

尽管社会科学研究在家庭法系统中的作用一直是学术研究的主题，但很少有人关注在法律系统内的运作如何影响社会科学和相关专家证人的工作。空间。本文报道了对家庭报告撰写者、社会科学或类似专家证人的采访，他们为澳大利亚家庭法院就分居后儿童安排的争议案件提供评估。它探讨了法律的影响，或这些专业人士如何看待法律的适用，以及家庭法系统对这些专家证人的复杂性，特别是在与被指控家庭暴力的家庭合作时。研究表明，参与者对法律制度有很深的适应。他们知道如何说它的语言，并了解他们所面对的不同受众，包括法院、律师和父母。尽管对法律背景的理解对于专家证人来说至关重要，但该研究表明，法律制度及其经验可能会影响他们的评估框架，影响他们的建议，从而影响育儿令。尽管本文调查了澳大利亚的情况，但结果对依赖家庭评估报告的类似家庭法司法管辖区提出了质疑。尽管对法律背景的理解对于专家证人来说至关重要，但该研究表明，法律制度及其经验可能会影响他们的评估框架，影响他们的建议，从而影响育儿令。尽管本文调查了澳大利亚的情况，但结果对依赖家庭评估报告的类似家庭法司法管辖区提出了质疑。尽管对法律背景的理解对于专家证人来说至关重要，但该研究表明，法律制度及其经验可能会影响他们的评估框架，影响他们的建议，从而影响育儿令。尽管本文调查了澳大利亚的情况，但结果对依赖家庭评估报告的类似家庭法司法管辖区提出了质疑。