Prova testemunhal. Do subjetivismo ao objectivismo, do isolamento científico ao diálogo com a psicologia e a epistemologia

Abstract

The present thesis, by adopting an objetive model of evidence law, intends to

summarize the current knowledge about witness testimony in law and, in what

follows, evaluate it using the science, mainly the epistemology and the psychology.

For doing so, it begins, on the second part, with the premises of the new way of

working with evidence, showing that the present work has a purpose only by

adopting an objetive model of working with evidence, once that only by doing so the

proceedings are worried about the epistemic quality of the search for the truth done

in a concrete procedure. On the third part, the aim is to proceed with a wide

investigation in law, including jurisprudence and precedents of the civil law courts,

analysing the current knowledge about witness testimony, in the way its practiced

today. On the fourth part, the two main lines of thought on epistemology of testimony,

presuntivism and no-presuntivism, are presented, being analysed which one is

usually adopted by civil law systems and which one should be, in the author's

opinion. On the fifth part, using scientific methodology of the health field, the work

presents the main current conclusions of the psychology of testimony, in order to

verify what are the fragilities and the points that need attention in the practice of

witness testimony. On the sixth part, using the knowledge presented on the fourth

and fifth parts, the premises presented on the third part are evaluated, with the

purpose of proposing a reconstruction of the witness testimony in law using the

objective model of evidence and, mainly, the current knowledge in science

La presente tesis, adoptando un modelo subjetivo de derecho probatorio, pretende resumir el conocimiento sobre la prueba testifical en el derecho y, en lo que sigue, evaluarla usando la ciencia. Para hacerlo, empieza con una amplia investigación en el derecho, incluyendo doctrina y jurisprudencia de las cortes de civil law, analizando el modo cómo se practica esta prueba hoy. Siguiendo, se analizan las dos principales líneas de pensamiento en la epistemología de testigos, presuntivismo y no presuntivismo, con críticas sobre la adopción del presuntivismo en el derecho. En sequencia, el trabajo presentalas principales conclusiones actuales de la psicología del testimonio, para identificar los puntos que necessitan de atención en la práctica de la prueba testifical. Por fin, las premisas presentadas en la tercera parte son evaluadas, con la intención de proponer la reconstrucción de la prueba testifical en el derecho