Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Violent Offender

The diagnosis of deficits in brain function can have a critical impact on a defendant's verdict and sentencing. But to measure illness or impairment properly--especially when dangerous offenders face lengthy sentences or the death penalty--professionals need to choose tests that satisfy legal as well as clinical concerns.

Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Violent Offender sorts out the complex issues involved in designing a relevant test battery and conducting an effective evaluation. Geared toward the non-specialist reader, this brief resource synthesizes the database on offender populations and individual case studies to fine-tune approaches to testing in core areas including brain injury, personality, intelligence, cognitive functioning, sensory and motor skills, and attention. Real-world context illustrates how evaluation data may be used in case building--and gamesmanship--by the prosecution or the defense. The resulting volume offers solid guidance on raising standards for how evaluations are done, and for their judicious use by the justice system. Among the issues covered:

• The role of client history in forensic neuropsychological testing.
• The impact of different brain injuries on aggression and offending.
• Strengths and limitations of brain imaging.
• Evaluating executive function: beyond scoring.
• Testing for exaggeration and malingering.

• Qualifying for neuropsychological work in forensic settings. Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Violent Offender will interest health care providers, researchers, legislators, and law enforcement personnel in their efforts with this marginalized and understudied population. In addition, this text could be useful for students interested in fields such as criminal justice, psychology, and law.

Résumé
This book focuses on the importance of using a brain-behavior relationship framework for the successful use of neuropsychological evaluations for courtroom purposes. It stresses the need to understand the offender as a unique individual assessed accordingly from cognitive and personality perspectives. The desired goal is to reach a more nuanced evaluation rather than a compilation of test scores. This book clearly explains the circumstances that prevent proper testing including batteries that are confusing or frustrating to the person being tested or those that cause fatigue thus interfering with an appropriate picture of cognitive, motor and sensory skills. Irrelevance of some tests for addressing the reason for referral is also covered as is the importance of setting and adequate time for evaluation. When dealing with court cases involving the violent offender the evaluation is critical to the establishment of the factors that motivated the crime. In most cases the issue is not insanity but rather an understanding for legal purposes of the cognitive and emotional processes that explain how a crime occurred. This book provides a concise overview of the issues involved and how to provide the best scientific information to satisfy the pursuit of justice.

Contenu
Introduction.- Neuropsychological Forensic Evaluations.- Designing a Neuropsychological Test Battery.