This is a past event
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Wednesday 9 December 2020, 1-2 pm, via Microsoft Teams
Bill Naphy (History, University of Aberdeen)
In cooperation with the Centre for History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHPSTM)
Expert and Forensic Witnesses in Genevan Trials, c. 1540-1640
This talk will look at the critical role of experts in certain categories of Genevan trials. For most of the first century after the Reformation, trials which involved accusations of sexual assault or rape involved testimony by physicians, barber-surgeons, and midwives. The paper will consider the role of their testimony in the trial process. In particular, it will discuss the role of midwives and the apparent position of ‘city midwive(s)’ that is, a handful of midwives who were regularly asked for their expert testimony in these types of trial. There will also be some consideration of the less frequent involvement of lawyers as experts in some trials. In particular, the paper will consider the power and impact of the testimony of the experts on the trials and of their written reports as critical evidence in reaching a verdict.
To see information on the Centre for History and Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Medicine click here.
- Speaker
- Bill Naphy