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!!!

To Get Your CEU Certificate
•
•
•
•
Go to our website: tzkseminars.com
Log in using your email address and password
Complete the webinar evaluation
Download your certificate