The use of anatomically detailed dolls in sexual abuse evaluations: The state of the science

In child sexual abuse investigations, anatomically detailed dolls (ADDs) are used frequently with the intention of facilitating expression or demonstration in children who do not disclose abuse verbally. We review and critique research that examines the play of nonabused children with ADDs, compares the ADD play of abused children with that of nonabused children, or compares ADD-aided interviews with interviews using other data-gathering methods. We conclude that the APA Council of Representatives\u27 recent statement (February 8, 1991) endorsing the use of ADDs by certain examiners and the current research on this topic are incompatible. © 1993 American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology (AAAPP) All rights reserved