Liam Fee murder trail: psychologist has "no concerns" over child interviews
The trial at the High Court in Livingston continues
A psychologist has told the Liam Fee murder trial he has no concerns'' over the way two young boys were interviewed.
Dr Gary MacPherson told a jury he compiled reports after watching recorded interviews with the children, who are alleged by the Crown to have been mistreated by murder accused Rachel Trelfa, or Fee, and Nyomi Fee.
The court has already been shown videos of the interviews, carried out by Detective Constable Valerie Tweedy and social worker Charlie Finlay, which took place on separate days over several months and ran to many hours.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC questioned the expert witness, a consultant forensic clinical psychologist, on his opinion of the interview processes involving the boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Reading from his reports on both youngsters, Dr MacPherson said: Overall I have no concerns regarding the joint investigative interviews with (the boys).''
The witness also concluded that the interviews were conducted within best practice guidelines''.
Dr MacPherson was giving evidence on day 22 of the trial of Liam's mother Trelfa, 31, and her partner Fee, 28, at the High Court in Livingston.
They deny murdering the two-year-old and falsely blaming his death on another young boy. Liam was found dead at a house in Fife on March 22, 2014.
The pair - originally from Ryton, Tyne and Wear - also plead not guilty to a string of allegations of wilfully ill-treating and neglecting the two other boys over a period of more than two years.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Finlay, 59, defended aspects of the way he carried out the interviews with the boys.
In the face of questioning from Fee's defence QC Mark Stewart, he said: I'm satisfied I conducted these interviews in a professional and attentive manner that allowed (the boys) to give expression to what has taken place.''
The accused deny all the charges against them. The trial, before judge Lord Burns, continues on Friday.