Forensic
Psychology
Traditionally,
forensic psychologists have assisted courts through their
expertise in the administration and interpretation of tests
that qualitatively measure different aspects of human emotions
and behavior. Like psychiatrists, psychologists who consult
to the court must have strong clinical judgment and continuing
practice. In contrast, however, forensic psychologists are
trained in non-medical, non-biological aspects of the behavioral
sciences. For this reason, forensic psychology often confronts
questions where the inexact nature of the science of human
feelings and thinking must be properly accounted for.
Responding
properly to the challenge of defining the limits of research
findings brings out the substance of forensic psychology.
Guaranteeing that such nuances reflect the standard of the
science bolsters courts' confidence in the notion of psychological
certainty.
Expertise
of the Psychologist
Forensic
psychologists are uniquely trained to administer and interpret
a variety of psychological tests, measuring personality, aptitude,
and diagnosis. These include the MMPI-2, the MCMI-III, the
PCL-R, the Rorschach, and many others. Many tests are not
applicable in both the clinical and forensic settings, because
they are based upon self-report and do not account for the
possibility of faking or distorting. The psychologist must
understand how psychological tests may be applied to the forensic
arena, and how the tests should dovetail with available history.
A psychologist
may be specially trained about the relative advantages of
different psychotherapies, or develop expert familiarity with
psychiatric diagnostic principles through studying and treating
patients. Board Certification is administered through one
credible body, the American Board of Professional Psychology.
The American Psychological Association has recommended ethical
guidelines for the practice of forensic psychology, adherence
to which enhances the substance of the opinion to the court.
Many areas
have been researched by psychologists whose social science
background inspires the search for psychological understanding.
These include, for example, eyewitness reliability, recovered
memory, and assessment of lying, among others. Because this
research is often novel, forensic psychologists must discern
the statistical value of published findings, and to control
for the biases of researchers with social or financial agendas.
Peer
Review Protects Integrity
The vulnerability
of psychological opinion to individual interpretation highlights
the great benefit peer review provides. Within The
Forensic Panel, we developed peer
reviewed forensic expertise to ensure that the psychological
examination yields an exact science, and one which reflects
standards of the behavioral sciences. The Forensic Panel is
the only consultation practice in America that seeks to protect
the integrity of psychological opinions to the court through
peer reviewed oversight.
