Forensic Industrial Psychology
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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SU 3: Forensic assessment
• See SG page 22 – 30
• See prescribe book of Roos +
Voster 2009 - Chapter 3
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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Learning outcomes
• Explain how the referral question
determines the nature of the
assessment.
• Discuss the types of information that
should be obtained in an interview for
forensic assessment purposes.
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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Learning outcomes
• Describe the role of psychometric tests
in a forensic evaluation
• Indicate the importance of
comprehensive and supportive collateral
information
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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Learning outcomes
• Differentiate between the various ways
of assessing mental status during an
interview.
• Explain the importance of the forensic
report in a forensic assessment
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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Learning outcomes
• Give an exposition of how the IP report differs
from other professionals’ reports.
• Describe how psychologists should adhere to
the different ethical codes that apply to
psychometric evaluation, test validity, record
keeping and report writing
IOP 203S SU 3- Forensic assessment
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Learning outcomes
• Explain the importance of clarifying
test procedures, fees, consent and
confidentiality
• Critically explain how the
recommendations made might affect
people’s lives and future.
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3.1 Introduction
• Forensic assessment differ from
psychological assessment
• Objective
• Scientific
• Client treated with respect + dignity
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3.2 The purpose of the assessment
• Lawyers must explain to clients
• Referral questions must be answered by
Psychologist
• Psychological report to be used in court
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The purpose of the assessment
• Confidentiality = 1st appointment
• Client right to explanation, assessment
procedure and report
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3.3 Methods of assessment
3.3.1
The interview
• Main tool
• Goal = gather info + clinical impression
• Biographical info; developm history; social
circumstances, relationships; occupational and
other info
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3.3.1.1 Structure of the interview
• Up to you as the interviewer
• Person’s center approach
• Structured or questionnaire
• Do Act 3.1 page 24 SG
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3.3.2
Psychometric assessment
• HPCSA
• Forms 207 and 208
• Read 3.3.2 in prescribed book
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3.3.2.1 The role of Psychometric
tests in a forensic setting
• Measure an individual’s characteristics
objectively
• Sample of behaviour
• Appropriate tests
• See Roos PB
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3.3.2.2 Selecting a battery of
tests
• Difficult decision
• Depends on referral question
• Support and validate one another
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3.2
Activity
• See Roos
• Do in class
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3.3.2.3
Important aspects of
psychological testing
• Valid and reliability
• Valid = Measure what they suppose to
measure
• Reliability = Should give consistent results
• Proper admin
• Correct interpretation of the tests
• Integrated with the interview, biographical
info and own observation
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3.3
Collateral information
• Info from client is subjective
• Collateral info confirm the above
• Sources like: Doctors; family members,
previous therapists, birth history anything that
you can get
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Collateral information (cont)
• Client must give consent for 3rd parties info
• Telephonic consultation, letters, affidavits
• See also Roos
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3.3.4
Mental status examination
• MSE = systematic doc of mental
functioning
• See Roos
• Activity 3.3 page 26
• Do in class
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3.4 Forensic report writing
• Most NB part
• No standard format
• Depend on referral question
• Activity 3.4 = homework
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3.4.1 Presentation
• Basic rules of good writing
• Logic structure
• Answer the referral question
• Your expertise and ethics
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Activity 3.5
• Do in class
• See reports from LISA on webpage
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