Guides to Best Practices for Forensic Mental Health Assessments – serie

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court. Volumes include the following helpful features: § Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations § Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls § Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes § Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topics offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations. The present book focuses on evaluations for civil commitment of sexually violent predators (SVPs). Although this book focuses on evaluating SVP cases, the considerations discussed in this book, such as determining a sex offenders risk to reoffend, apply to evaluations of sex offenders in other contexts (e.g., community notification, sentence enhancement, and probationary management) as well.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations. Jury selection is the process by which attorneys remove people from the jury pool whom they judge to be undesirable, presumably because they fear that the potential juror would be biased against their side. In Jury Selection, Kovera and Cutler review the law governing attorneys' decisions to remove potential jurors from jury service, including laws prohibiting the systematic removal of particular categories of people from the jury. The book provides an overview of standardized tools for assessing personality traits and attitudes that may be related to jurors' verdicts as well as the research establishing the validity of these measures. The authors review the studies that evaluate the effectiveness of both traditional and scientific methods of jury selection, including the methods used to conduct a community survey to guide a change of venue motion and the selection of potential jurors to excuse. Kovera and Cutler also discuss the ethical principles to be followed when assisting attorneys with jury selection issues.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluationsTips for best practice and cautions against common pitfallsHighlighting of relevant case law and statutesSeparate list of assessment tools for easy referenceHelpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This book considers those legal, ethical and assessment issues that arise when forensic mental health professionals are asked to evaluate the capacity of adults to make independent decisions about the management of their personal and financial affairs. As our population ages, the competence of those who are elderly and mentally infirmed may be challenged more and more frequently, and this book will be an invaluable resource for those involved in assessing that competence.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:· Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations· Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls· Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes· Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference· Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This book addresses the assessment of personal injury claims, and explores the history and importance of this process, the legal standards and the procedure for applying this assessment in court. Established empirical foundations from the behavioral, social, and medical sciences are then presented. Finally, the book provides a detailed "how-to" for practitioners, including information on data collection, interpretation, report writing and expert testimony.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations. Evaluation for Civil Commitment gives readers comprehensive overview of the laws, policies, and evaluation practices focused on the civil commitment of persons with mental illness. This volume also provides ethical, clinical, and practical guidance for the clinician's role in such proceedings, including a summary of best practices for gathering information relevant to civil commitment hearings and providing testimony.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.Child custody cases represent one of the most complex areas of forensic mental health assessment. The evaluations are highly specialized, requiring expertise in child development and psychopathology and a thorough understanding of the professional and ethical guidelines for child custody evaluations. This volume, written by two child custody examiners with years of experience and an exceptional depth of understanding of the area, synthesizes the highest quality of work in the field to articulate the best practices for these evaluations based upon professional guidelines, law, and research.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This book addresses evaluations for child protection, one of the most delicate legal arenas in which forensic mental examiners play a part. The evaluations are highly specialized, requiring child clinical specialization, a knowledge of the legal and social context, and a thorough understanding of the professional and ethical guidelines for child protection evaluations. This volume provides the foundation that any mental health professional needs when pursuing specialization in evaluating children and parents before the court in child abuse and neglect cases.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This volume focuses on evaluating the determination of disability status in the workplace. The reader is walked through every aspect of the evaluation, beginning with an introduction to the nature and legal meaning of disability. The authors offer evidence-based practice recommendations and a helpful overview of issues specific to evaluations for social security, worker's compensation, and other disability benefit programs.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful gloassary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This book addresses the evaluation of criminals for capital sentencing, and looks at the history and importance of this process, the legal standards and the procedure for applying this evaluation in court. Established empirical foundations from the behavioral, social, and medical sciences are then presented. Finally, the book provides a detailed "how-to" for practitioners, including information on data collection, interpretation, report writing and expert testimony.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.This book considers those legal, ethical and assessment issues that arise when forensic mental health professionals are asked to evaluate an individual's capacity to waive his or her Miranda rights, and the subsequent validity of the confession.

Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.Volumes include the following helpful features:Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluationsTips for best practice and cautions against common pitfallsHighlighting of relevant case law and statutesSeparate list of assessment tools for easy referenceHelpful glossary of key terms for the particular topicIn making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations.