10 B Forensic Applications of Assessment

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10 B Forensic Applications of Assessment
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Use of testing in forensics

• Evaluation of possible malingering
• Assessment of mental state for insanity plea
• Determination of competency to stand trail
• Prediction of violence and assessment of risk
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 378)

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testing in forensics (2)

• Evaluation of child custody in divorce
• Assessment of personal injury
• Interpretation of polygraph data

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Expert witness

• Qualified expert
• Testify in area of expertise
• Evidence must be helpful in determining outcome
  of case
• Testimony should be consistent with accepted
  theory

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Parameters of expert testmony

• P. 380
• Discuss parameters for expert testimony
• Consider the extent to which scientific method is
  used in these parameters

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Evaluation of malingering

• The typical forensic client has much to gain from
  a case formulation that emphasizes illness and
  disability. (Gregory, 2004, p. 380)
• Is the client open and honest?

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Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms

• Rare symptoms
• Symptom combinations (rare)
• Improbable or absurd symptoms
• Blatant symptoms (over endorsement)
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 381)

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Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (2)

• Subtle Symptoms
• Severity of symptoms
• Selectivity of symptoms
• Reported vs. observed symptoms
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 381)
• Examples of questions p. 381

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Assessment of mental state for insanity plea -
definitions

• (MSO) Mental state at the time of the offense
• (NGRI) Not guilty by reason of insanity
• (GBMI) Guilty but mentally ill

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McNaughten rule

• Defendants behavior excused if person didnt
  know what person was doing (1/2 of states)
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 382)

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Modern penal code

• Person not responsible if at time, as a result of
  mental disease or defect, could not either
• appreciate criminality
• conform conduct to law
• Excludes psychopath or antisocial personality
  within the insanity defense
• About 20 states
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 383)

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Rogers Criminal Responsibility Assessment Scales

• Patient responsibility
• Organicity
• Psychopathology
• Cognitive control
• Behavioral control
• See sample items Gregory p. 385

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Determination of competency to stand trail

• Defendants
• Capacity to understand criminal process
• Ability to consult with counsel in preparing
  defense
• Capacity to relate to counsel and understand
  proceedings
• Reasonable rather than perfect degree of
  understanding
• (Gregory, 2004, p. 385)
• P. 386 Table 10.11

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Prediction of violence and assessment of risk

• Researchers advised against being involved in
  such predictions
• High false positive rate in controlled studies

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Evaluation of child custody in divorce

• Best interest of the child is the guiding
  principle
• Impartial regardless of who calls you as witness
• Some instruments exist some cautions
• Approach task with humility

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Assessment of personal injury

• Unless you intend to develop a specialty in this
  area stay away from it