Synopsis
With increasing frequency neuropsychologists are being asked to serve as experts in court cases where judgements must be made as to the cause of, and prognosis for brain diseases and injuries. This book describes the application of neuropsychology to legal issues in both the civil and criminal courts. It emphasizes a scientific basis of neuropsychology. All of the contributors are recognized as scientist-clinicians. The chapters cover common forensic issues such as appropriate scientific reasoning, the assessment of malingering, productive attorney-neuropsychologist interactions, and ethics. Also, covered are the determination of damages in personal injury litigation, including pediatric brain injury, mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury in adults (with an introduction to life care planning); neurotoxic injury; and forensic assessment of medically unexplained symptoms. Civil competencies in the elderly persons with dementia are addressed a separate chapter, and two chapters deal with the assessment of competency and responsibility in criminal forensic neuropsychology. This volume will be an invaluable resource for neuropsychologists, attorneys, neurologists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and their students and trainees.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description:This book covers pertinent topics related to forensic neuropsychology, with applications in both civil and criminal courts. There is an emphasis on a scientific approach, where data and theories are subject to peer review and critique.
Purpose:According to the editor, the book "is the result of my perception of the need for a text that reflects the growth of the field of forensic neuropsychology, including the expansion of neuropsychology into areas of competencies and responsibilities, and the complexity of the issues that forensic neuropsychologists are asked to address. The book meets the editor's objectives.
Audience:The intent is to provide a "useful reference for both neuropsychologists and attorneys who seek neuropsychological expertise in the legal arena." Graduate students who are specializing in neuropsychology would also benefit from this book. The editor holds diplomate status in clinical neuropsychology and is on staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Many of the contributors hold ABPP status as well and almost all are affiliated with large university systems.
Features:This book covers the gamut of forensic neuropsychology including malingering, pediatric traumatic brain injury, mild/moderate/severe traumatic brain injury, fitness to stand trial, and NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity). The first chapter, by the editor, sets the stage by talking about a scientific approach to forensic neuropsychology. The chapters on traumatic brain injury are extremely helpful and full of information. Chapter 10, "Forensic Assessment of Medically Unexplained Symptoms," is very interesting and includes discussion of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chemical sensitivities.
Assessment:I enjoyed this book because it covers everything you would expect. It is based on a scientific approach and has plenty of research studies to support the text. I am just not sure if this book is any better than the other forensic neuropsychology books on the market, especially if I already had one in my library. Certainly, one could gain much from this book and it is worth the financial investment if forensic neuropsychology is your career track.