Fundamentals of Forensic
Assessment
David L. Shapiro, Ph. D.
Nova Southeastern University

Similarities: Clinical & Forensic
• Use of broad range of assessment techniques to answer referral questions.
• Integration of data looking for consistencies and inconsistencies.
• Preparation of comprehensive report to address referral questions.

Differences: Clinical & Forensic
• Different Focus
– Clinical: diagnosis, prognosis, treatment recommendations
– Forensic: legal issues in addition
• Informed Consent
– Forensic has some elements above and beyond clinical

Differences (continued)
• Need to integrate clinical and legal issues
• Concept of functional legal competencies
• Clinical finding different from legal issues
• Access to data: May be different
– Issues of confidentiality and privilege

Use of Traditional Psychological
Tests in Forensic Practice
• Objective Testing: Problems with test validation
• Objective Testing: Problem with conceptual issues
• Projective Testing: Issues regarding validity and reliability

Use of Traditional Psychological
Tests in Forensic Practice (continued)
• Cognitive Testing: Cautions regarding “real world data” – e.g. Miranda
• Trauma Testing: Increased Relevance for
Forensic Issues
• Tests for Malingering: Relevance and cautions in forensic issues

Objective Testing
• Computerized printouts- integration with other data
• Issues of normative data bases
• Ethical issues
• Limits of interpretation
• What tests to use?
• Malingering indices

Projective Testing
• Early uses of projectives
• Limits of Interpretation
• Constraints in forensic settings
• Subjective/Objective Interpretation
• External Verification (e.g. D.P. case)

Cognitive Testing
• Evaluation of scales
• Limits of Interpretation
• External Verification
• Relevance to certain legal tests:
– Unique status
• Neuropsychological screening

Trauma Testing
• Distinction from Trauma Scales on Tests
• Need for external verification
• Cautions in interpretation
– TSI/TSI-2
– DAPS

Malingering
• Use of history and collateral data
• Cognitive and personality: need to keep tests separate
– SIRS
– TOMM
– VIP
– SIMS
– MPS

Forensic Assessment Instruments
• Integration of legal issues into test construction
• Formulated around legal constructs
• Use in conjunction with clinical tests

Grisso Instruments
• Miranda Rights
– CMR
– CMR-R
– CMV
– FRI
– Increasing complexity:
• Comparison of scores
• Need for external verification

Competency to Stand Trial
• Sentence Completion Tests (CST)
• Structured Interview )CAI)
• Interdisciplinary Fitness Interview (IFI)
• MAC-CAT-CA
• FIT
• ILK (Malingering Test)
• ECST-R
• GCCT

Criminal Responsibility
• Structured Interviews
• Collateral Material
• R-CRAS- cautions

Assessment of Violent Behavior
• Early History
– “Three Generations”
– Role of Mental Illness
– The Macarthur Studies
– Conceptual Shifts
– Five Domains

Types of Violence Assessment
• Clinical
• Anamnestic
• Actuarial
• Adjusted Actuarial
• Structured Professional Judgment

Types of Violence Assessment
• Actuarial:
– VRAG
– DVRAG
• S.P.J:
– PCL-R
– HCR-20

Sex Offender Evaluation
• Sexually Violent Predator Laws
• Actuarial, Adjusted Actuarial
• Clinical, Anamnestic
• S.P.J.

Sex Offender Assessments
Actuarial
• SORAG
• STATIC-99 (2002)
• MNSOST-R
S.P.J.
• SVR-20
• Use of PCL-R

Child Custody & Parental Fitness
• PASI
• Bricklin Perceptual scales
• ASPECT

Admissibility of Expert Testimony
• Frye v. U.S. (1923)
• Federal Rules of Evidence (1975)
• Daubert v. Merrell Dow (1993)
• Kumho v. Carimichael (1999)
• F.R.E. Amendments (2000)
• Current Status

Tzkseminars
• Keith Hannan, Ph.D., consultant to juvenile facilities on “Conduct Disorder.” Dr.
Hannan also does a Friday afternoon webinar series on juvenile delinquency
• David Shapiro, Ph.D., the father of clinical forensic psychology on the
“Fundamentals of Forensic Assessment.” Learn forensic assessment from the best.
• David McDuff, M.D., consultant to the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens on “Sports
Psychiatry.” This webinar is appropriate for all mental health clinicians interested in working with athletes.
• Heather Hartman-Hall, Ph.D., internship training director and talented clinician on
“Making Sense of the Complexities of Trauma.”
• Scott Hannan, Ph.D., seen on the show “Hoarders,” on “Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy for School Refusal.”
• Michael Herkov, Ph.D., of the University of Florida, on “The Ten Most Common
Ethical Errors.”
New speakers coming soon!!!

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