PSY 622 FINAL project case study 1-6 (5)

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1 9-2 Final Project Submission: Summative Forensic Case Report (Cases 1-6) Chelsey Riley Southern New Hampshire University PSY-622: Assessment for Forensic Psychology Professor Hutton 11/16/2023

2 Mental Health / Diminished Capacity Daubert Ms. A. was given the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) assessment on January 1, 2012. MMPI-2 consists of 576 true or false questions and typically takes about one to two hours to complete (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 is used when making recommendations for court decisions regarding family custody and child protection evaluations, which is relevant to the case of Ms. A. (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 contains 10 clinical scales and 4 validity scales. The 10 clinical for MMPI-2 consists of the following: Hypochondriasis (Hs), Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Masculinity/Femininity (Mf), Paranoia (Pa), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), Hypomania (Ma), and Social Introversion (Si) (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 is widely used by forensic psychologists to assess an individual’s mental health and personality, which is also relevant to Ms. A.’s case. Ms. A. was also given the Symptom Assessment (SA-45) which was established from the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) (Chandler, 2014a). The SA-45 is a 45-item questionnaire to measure psychopathology symptoms on 9 scales (Chandler, 2014a). The Daubert Standard is a systematic framework that allows the trial court judge to evaluate the relevance and reliability of the expert witness testimony before it is presented to the jury (Robinson, 2023). A component of the Daubert Standard is to determine admissible scientific evidence. The evaluator conducting Ms. A.’s assessment provided accurate and reliable information regarding her individual case. Interview Information Child Protective Services (CPS) has required Ms. A. to take a psychological evaluation for the purpose of determining her mental capacity and the potential reunification of her and her

3 fourteen-year-old daughter (Chandler, 2014a). Since CPS has been notified of several reports of abandonment and neglect, it was a mediated agreement that Ms. A. terminate her parental rights (Chandler, 2014a). It has also been reported that Ms. A. has a criminal history. Ms. A.’s criminal history involves a drug possession charge which she was found guilty and convicted of and a fraudulent check charge which she was also convicted of and was imprisoned for two years (Chandler, 2014a). Additionally, Ms. A. does have a prior history of chemical dependency and a significant psychiatric history for heroin. Ms. A. has also reported that she has used mood stabilizers and anxiolytics and in the past 90 days has used crack cocaine (Chandler, 2014a). It has also been reported in the assessment that Ms. A. only completed the 8 th grade and has no additional vocational training (Chandler, 2014a). Collectively, this information is crucial when determining Ms. A.’s ability to parent her daughter. The results of Ms. A.’s assessment are as follows; Hysteria (Hy)= 61, Depression (D)= 59, Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)= 70, Paranoia (Pa)= 64, Psychasthenia (Pt)= 55, Schizophrenia (Sc)= 68, Hypomania (Ma)=65, and Social Introversion (Si)= 58 (Chandler, 2014a). Based on the scores of the assessment and the prior history of criminal behavior, drug use, and CPS reports, it is believed that Ms. A. would fall under the Gamma Risk Typology due to her psychosomatic awareness, treatment non-compliance, disability status/health limitations, and drug use (Chandler, 2014a). Ms. A. also exhibits school difficulties, poor judgement for the safety and wellbeing of her daughter, and limited criminal or legal history (Chandler, 2014a). Classifying Ms. A. as a Gamma Risk Typology would be relevant to the case of Ms. A. due to the severity of her crimes and drug abuse.

4 Collateral Information Despite Ms. A.’s criminal history there are currently no pending legal issues impeding the parent-child relationship during the current assessment. The assessment does state that in the past 90 days Ms. A. has used crack cocaine, however, in the past six months there was no drug/alcohol use reported (Chandler, 2014a). Due to Ms. A.’s heroin use she has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Ms. A. also reports that her parents have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, which could have influenced her addiction (Chandler, 2014a). Information regarding Ms. A.’s history of criminal behavior and drug use could deter the court from granting her custody of her daughter (Chandler, 2014a). Further, since Ms. A. did not complete education beyond 8 th grade and as of 2009 has been on disability for both mental health and physical health conditions this could also influence the court’s decision (Chandler, 2014a). Ms. A. has also reported that she does not have any significant personal relationships, which could be beneficial in her case as she has not associated with past acquaintances. Recommendations Currently it would be unrealistic for Ms. A. to resume custody of her daughter although this could be reevaluated later. Supervised visitation would allow both Ms. A. and her daughter a safe place to develop a relationship while Ms. A. is receiving treatment. The goal of supervised visitations is to maintain the safety of the child, foster a healthy child-parent relationship, and promote healthy attachment between Ms. A. and her daughter (Tabashneck, 2021). Perhaps a family member of Ms. A.’s could have temporary custody over her daughter, while Ms. A. has supervised visitation, as she fulfils the necessary recommendations. It is also recommended that Ms. A. obtain her GED so that she can fulfill her educational requirements. From here it is recommended that Ms. A. find employment, and she will be

5 provided with a job coach to assist her with filling out job applications, appropriate attire for job interviews, and money management. Those recovering from addiction face an unemployment rate 3x higher than average according to a 2017 study by the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital (HRD Canada, 2021). Employment would present Ms. A. with a changed sense of purpose aside from using drugs. Obtaining employment would also offer Ms. A. with advantageous socialization, an improved work ethic, and confidence (HRD Canada, 2021). Ms. A. needs to focus on obtaining employment so that she can take care of herself and her daughter. Based on the results of Ms. A.’s assessment it is apparent that she needs a treatment program (six month minimum) to address her parenting issues and rehabilitation from her history of crime and drug abuse. Evidence-based prevention programs have shown to significantly reduce substance use by at least 50% (APF, 2020). Ms. A. should also have mandatory drug screenings, participate in AODA groups due to her recent use of crack cocaine within the past 90 days, and have a home visit with her social worker to ensure that her home is safe for her daughter’s return. Once these recommendations have been fulfilled, Ms. A. should have to be reevaluated using the MMPI-2 assessment and the Symptom Assessment (SA-45). Ethical Guidelines As stated in the recommendations section, at this time Ms. A. is not deemed a suitable parental figure for her daughter. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) it appears that Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence is relevant to Ms. A.’s case. This principle focuses on the safety of the child and do no harm to their client (APA, 2017). The psychologist safeguards the welfare and rights of the individual (APA, 2017). 3.04 Avoiding Harm is relevant because the psychologist should avoid behavior that is cruel, inhumane, or

6 degrading towards Ms. A. despite her history of promiscuous behavior. Additionally, Principle C: Integrity is relevant because psychologists should be promoting truthfulness, accuracy and honesty and avoid unwise or unclear commitments (APA, 2017). Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity is relevant to the case of Ms. A. because the psychologist should respect their clients’ rights to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination (APA, 2017). In the case of Ms. A. there are quite a few ethical guidelines that should be followed. It is important that the safety and wellbeing of the child is the main priority. Offender Risk Assessment Daubert Mr. B. was given the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) assessment on July 7 th , 2003. MMPI-2 consists of 576 true or false questions and typically takes about one to two hours to complete (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 is used when making recommendations for court decisions regarding personality traits and psychopathology, which is relevant to the case of Mr. B. (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 contains 10 clinical scales and 4 validity scales. The 10 clinical for MMPI-2 consists of the following: Hypochondriasis (Hs), Depression (D), Hysteria (Hy), Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Masculinity/Femininity (Mf), Paranoia (Pa), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), Hypomania (Ma), and Social Introversion (Si) (Floyd & Gupta, 2023). The MMPI-2 is widely used by forensic psychologists to assess an individual’s mental health and personality, which is also relevant to Mr. B.’s case. Secondly, Mr. B. was given the Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, and Strengths (IORNS). IORNS is a 130 item self-report measure, and it also takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. This type of assessment is used for pre, mid, and post treatment assessment to determine if the behaviors have changed and shows the offender’s progress (Miller, 2006). This

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