Essentials of Forensic Psychological Assessment

Essentials of Forensic Psychological Assessment
Author: Marc J. Ackerman
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 357
Release: 2010-04-06
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0470618787

Quickly acquire the knowledge and skills you need to confidently administer, score, and interpret the key assessment instruments used by forensic psychologists Mental health professionals are frequently called on to perform forensic assessments for a wide variety of court cases. To use these instruments properly, professionals need an authoritative source of advice and guidance on how to administer, score, and interpret them. Now fully revised and in a second edition, Essentials of Forensic Psychological Assessment is that source. The Second Edition is completely updated to reflect current research and theory in the field, including the most recent codes and standards published by the American Psychological Association. In addition, this volume offers updated coverage of the most frequently used instruments in forensic psychological assessments, including the MMPI®-2 and MMPI-2-RF, PAI®, Rorschach®, ASPECT, and various neuropsychological assessment instruments. Like all the volumes in the Essentials of Psychological Assessment series, this book is designed to help busy mental health practitioners, and those in training, quickly acquire the knowledge and skills they need to make optimal use of major psychological assessment instruments. Each concise chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as test questions that help you gauge and reinforce your grasp of the information covered. Written by a noted forensic psychologist, the Second Edition offers in-depth coverage of maltreatment and domestic violence, as well as the assessment of recidivism, fitness to stand trial, civil commitment, substance abuse assessment, custody evaluations, personal injury assessments, and many other aspects of forensic mental health practice.

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Immigration Court

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Immigration Court
Author: Barton Evans, III
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2018-04-09
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 131721921X

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Immigration Court is an essential specialized guide for psychologists and clinicians who work with immigrants. Immigration evaluations differ in many ways from other types of forensic assessments because of the psycholegal issues that extend beyond the individual, including family dynamics, social context, and cross-cultural concerns. Immigrants are often victims of trauma and require specialized expertise to elicit the information needed for assessment. Having spent much of their professional careers as practicing forensic psychologists, authors Evans and Hass have compiled a comprehensive text that draws on forensic psychology, psychological assessment, traumatology, family processes, and national and international political forces to present an approach for the effective and ethical practice of forensic psychological assessment in Immigration Court.

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice
Author: Corine de Ruiter
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2015-02-20
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317527585

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice: Case Studies presents a set of forensic criminal cases as examples of a scientist-practitioner model for forensic psychological assessment. The cases involve a number of forensic issues, such as criminal responsibility, violence risk assessment, treatment planning, and referral to long term forensic care. Likewise, different types of offenses are covered, for example, sexual offending, arson, homicide, robbery and domestic violence. The authors address a variety of mental disorders including psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathy and other personality disorders. The book will be useful for novice and experienced forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who are looking for case studies that integrate the most recent empirical evidence with psychological test findings.

Essentials of Psychological Tele-Assessment

Essentials of Psychological Tele-Assessment
Author: A. Jordan Wright
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2020-12-31
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1119771900

Discover a comprehensive and practical guide to the use of tele-assessments in psychological testing from two leading voices in psychology. Essentials of Psychological Tele-Assessment delivers a primer on the current state of professional knowledge related to psychological tele-assessment, ranging from the ethical and empirical considerations to the practical applications of tele-assessment procedures. The overarching framework encourages the balancing of the limitations of the current state of the research literature with the very real needs for assessment services to continue, even when in-person procedures are not feasible. This book includes discussion on a broad range of tests and measures, with information related to both the state of the empirical support for tele-tests and measures, with information related to both the state of the empirical support for tele-assessment utilizing them and the practical 'how-to' for administering, scoring and interpreting daa that emerge from them. Additionally, frameworks for integrating the data that emerge from tele-assessment procedures are discussed. The book is applicable to those transitioning to tele-assessment practice and those training in a wide variety of training programs. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: - Practical checklists and information about specific tests must be adapted to the realities of the tele-health environment. - Information about how the resutls of tests should be interpreted differently to account for the tele-health environment. -Case examples and studies to illustrate many of the challenges of working in tele-assessment -Guidance on how to balance the limitations of the state of the empirical literature on the validity of tele-assessment with the real-world needs of clients. Perfect for psychologists and trainees in a variety of health services, including clinical, counseling, school and forensic psychology, Essentials of Psychological Tele-Assessment will also earn a place in the libraries of anyone utilizing or training in cognitive, developmental, neuropsychological, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and interpersonal models of psychological assessment.

Fundamentals of Forensic Practice

Fundamentals of Forensic Practice
Author: Richard Rogers
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2006-04-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0387252274

Forensic psychologists and psychiatrists are increasingly asked to provide expertise to courts and attorneys in the criminal justice system. To do so effectively, they must stay abreast of important advances in the understanding of legal standards as well as new developments in sophisticated measures and the methods for their assessment. Fundamentals of Forensic Practice is designed to address the critical issues that are faced by mental health experts in their role of conducting assessments, presenting findings, and preparing for challenges to admissibility and credibility. Uniquely practical and comprehensive, this volume operationalizes legal standards and describes empirically validated methods for their evaluation. Not only is this essential for mental health professionals, but it is equally valuable to criminal attorneys. Lawyers require both clinical knowledge and understanding of legal standards in order to prepare their own experts and to challenge those on the opposing side. For both clinical and legal experts Fundamentals of Forensic Practice offers a full view of all phases of criminal proceedings: - Pretrial—diversion, determinations of bail, waivers of Miranda rights, and the capacity to consent to searches. - Trial—competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. Beyond insanity, the latter addresses mens rea, automatism, and psychological context evidence, such as battered-woman syndrome. - Post-trial—sentencing, capital sentencing, competency to be executed, and other post-conviction issues. Other key features include: - Chapters on specific criminal issues in a consistent format, with comprehensive coverage of legal standards and relevant clinical methods - Guidelines for conducting more effective forensic evaluations - In-depth coverage of specialized assessments, eg. malingering, sexual predator cases, and the insanity defense. - A detailed overview of direct and cross-examination strategies This book is the second collaboration between Rogers and Shuman. As individual authors, each received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Guttmacher Award for their outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry.

Evaluation of Competence to Stand Trial

Evaluation of Competence to Stand Trial
Author: Patricia Zapf
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2008-12-19
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0199724164

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court. Volumes include the following helpful features: - Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations - Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls - Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes - Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference - Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topic In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.

Forensic Geropsychology

Forensic Geropsychology
Author: Shane S. Bush
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781433828928

In this book, expert researchers and practitioners share essential information about providing mental health services to older adults in forensic contexts, and to the courts and judges involved. As the U.S. population ages, the needs of older adults will increasingly inform all areas of mental health practice. In coming years, psychologists can expect to play a more prominent role in helping legal decision makers to understand the unique aspects of older adults' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Clinical providers will have more opportunity to help older adults and their families as they struggle with challenging legal issues such as civil litigation, eligibility for benefits, and incarceration. Chapters in this book describe the nuts and bolts of civil litigation as it relates to brain injury, dementia, PTSD, and pain; assessment of competency to stand trial and to be executed; and the special treatment needs of incarcerated older adults. Also included are chapters on assessing testamentary capacity, assessing older adults pursuing VA benefits, and psychology's role in guardianship and conservatorship decisions.

Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility

Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility
Author: Ira K. Packer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2009-03-16
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0199886679

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court. Volumes include the following helpful features: - Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations - Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls - Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes - Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference - Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topic In making recommendations for best practice, authos consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.

Forensic Mental Health Assessment of Children and Adolescents

Forensic Mental Health Assessment of Children and Adolescents
Author: Steven N. Sparta
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2006-03-16
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0190287071

Most professional forensic literature addresses the assessment of adults yet neglects the necessary differences that arise when working with minors. Forensic Mental Health Assessment of Children presents the reader with essential knowledge and practical suggestions regarding the forensic assessment of minors involved in a variety of legal applications. Methods of evaluation are described by leading experts regarding topics frequently encountered and of great importance to the courts including: -Physical and sexual child abuse -Domestic violence -Child custody in divorce proceedings -Risk assesment for violence -Potential for rehabilitation in juvenile court cases -Special education -Childhood development and trauma as mitigating circumstances in death penalty cases In addition to reviewing a broad spectrum of topics, methods of evaluation, and the application of specific tests, chapters also address forensic assessment matters such as ethical issues, professional liability, and cultural considerations. This comprehensive resource will be indispensable to mental health practitioners and legal professionals, and of great interest to researchers and students.

Forensic Reports and Testimony

Forensic Reports and Testimony
Author: Randy K. Otto
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2014-09-09
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1118136721

Forensic Reports & Testimony: A Guide to Effective Communication for Psychologists and Psychiatrists provides a roadmap for the mental health professional who wants to provide consistently accurate, defensible, and useful reports and testimony to the legal system. Authors Randy K. Otto, Richart L. DeMier, and Marcus Boccaccini, recognized experts in the field, cover all aspects of the process, including preparing affidavits and reports, preparing for depositions, and testifying. Every written or spoken communication for the courts must be clear and precise, and distinguish between facts, inferences, and opinions. This book uniquely: •Shows the critical differences between forensic psychological reports and the clinical reports psychologists and psychiatrists are accustomed to writing •Includes and explains important maxims of forensic report writing, including separating facts from inferences, focusing on offering expert opinions, explaining why you think what you think, and connecting the dots between facts and conclusions •Provides numerous examples of experts’ testimony, affidavits, reports-with commentary and critiques Expert forensic work deserves to be presented in a clear, precise, and understandable way so that it is useful to attorneys, judges, and juries. Forensic Reports & Testimony provides the guidelines and models forensic psychologists and forensic psychiatrists need to make that happen.