Clinical Neuropsychology in the Criminal Forensic Setting

Meeting a growing need for practitioners, this unique volume brings together leading experts to present the legal and clinical foundations of neuropsychology practice in criminal forensic cases. Authoritative yet accessible, the book reviews relevant case law and constitutional principles and provides clear-cut guidance for conducting assessments that address specific legal standards and questions, such as competency to confess, competency to proceed, criminal responsibility, and sentencing concerns. With coverage of both adult and juvenile contexts, chapters describe how to work effectively in correctional settings; gather information from multiple sources; detect deception; generate accurate, legally admissible findings; and communicate them successfully in the courtroom.

Meeting a growing need for practitioners, this unique volume brings together leading experts to present the legal and clinical foundations of neuropsychology practice in criminal forensic cases. Authoritative yet accessible, the book reviews relevant case law and constitutional principles and provides clear-cut guidance for conducting assessments that address specific legal standards and questions, such as competency to confess, competency to proceed, criminal responsibility, and sentencing concerns. With coverage of both adult and juvenile contexts, chapters describe how to work effectively in correctional settings; gather information from multiple sources; detect deception; generate accurate, legally admissible findings; and communicate them successfully in the courtroom.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Christopher J. Graver, PhD(Madigan Army Medical Center)
Description:It is likely that neuropsychologists will encounter the legal system as a fact or expert witness in civil litigation at some point in their clinical careers and will need to navigate the court room adequately. Criminal forensic work, however, adds another layer of complexity that this book intends to unravel for clinicians who practice in this field.
Purpose:This book is intended to provide clinical neuropsychologists with the foundation knowledge necessary to begin practicing in the criminal forensic arena.
Audience:Clinical neuropsychologists are the intended audience. The editors have gathered a handful of recognized experts in forensic neuropsychology.
Features:Chapter 1 provides a highly relevant and concise review of statutes and case law that every neuropsychologist in criminal forensics should know. Ethical issues are covered in chapter 2 and include informed consent, release of information, clinician competency, and multiple relationships. Kaufman, as always, thoroughly covers the admissibility of neuropsychological evidence with case law and vignettes. Other topics of interest and critical importance include competency, Miranda waivers, mental state, and consultation at the time of sentencing. The chapters are packed with useful information and when space does not permit a full review, additional readings are suggested. To complete the book, there are two extremely helpful chapters on pragmatic considerations and presenting findings to the court. This includes discussion with attorneys at initial contact, fee structure, and report writing for courts. There are also suggestions made for setting the foundation for testimony, debiasing the presentation of results, admissibility of evidence, and ways to be effective in cross-examination. The amount of information gathered represents hundreds of hours that would otherwise be spent by individual clinicians stumbling through challenging evaluations and tripping on unseen legal obstacles.
Assessment:The editors and their colleagues have delivered an absolute gem for neuropsychologists in the criminal forensic arena. They summarize relevant legal information, provide specialized knowledge in this area, and offer sage advice to clinicians embarking on this adversarial journey. This book is priceless and any neuropsychologist in criminal forensic practice found without it would have to plead diminished capacity.

Robert L. Denney, PsyD, ABPP, ABPN, has been a forensic psychologist and neuropsychologist at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, for over 15 years. He is also Associate Professor and Director of Neuropsychology at the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute in Springfield. Dr. Denney is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and in clinical neuropsychology by both the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology.

James P. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, is in full-time independent practice in the area of criminal forensic neuropsychology, based in Tucson, Arizona. He is board certified in both forensic psychology and clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.