A psychologist who counsels a patient and also give expert testimony on behalf of the client involves understanding the legal principle regarding expert witness. APA Ehtics provided guidelines that governs the role of a forensic psychologist. This paper looks into the details of what it means to be an expert witness for the plaintiff. Introduction A client's attorney contacts the psychologist to testify on behalf of your client who was suing a worker compensation insurance company. The suit came about because the client was injured on the job and developed PTSD symptoms. The clients has disclosed a lot of sensitive issues to the psychologist during the course of therapy and if the psychologist testifies these sensitive informations
Besides the psychological side of the evaluation it is necessary for the forensic psychologist to record and gather information on the client. For instance: Clinical and collateral interviews need to be conducted, parent-child observation, and psychological testing. The psychologist for the most part might have to testify in court to discuss the different points related to the findings of the evaluation. Whether the forensic evaluator is working for the prosecution or the defendant side the work is still equally
This may lead to a difficult evaluation, the psychologist needs to obtain information that may be incriminating and not benefit the defendant if they provide it. The defendant has no control over how that information is used. (Datz,1989) Such issues as prescription authority ,where the psychologist is able to prescribe medication for their client has become an ethical issue. Many psychologists themselves believe that prescription should be be given by medical graduates with full training (Boschert 1998).This is backed up by 43% of responding to an American Psychological Association survey indicating that they believed that full medical training would be required for prescription.(APA 1992a
The clinician develops a professional relationship with the client in order to assess and treat their disorder. A Forensic psychologist work requirements are different from a clinician in the field of psychology because the services he/she provides are in areas where they have specialized knowledge, skills, experience and education. He/she administers assessments to determine competency to stand trial and can testify as an expert witness. The forensic psychologist does not have a professional relationship with the client as their main focus is assessing the individual in order to submit a report to the court (Hubaboom, 2002).
The lawyer of a man who is being accused of murder contacted me. It was requested that I be the expert witness and decide if the man, Edward Gein, is mentally fit to stand trial.
The meeting began with the chairman recounting the claims against the psychologist, the rules for identifying the complainant, and that the focus of this meeting was to determine if the potential that legal or ethical violations had occurred. All board members were in possession of copies of the information that was available at the time. The complainant was referred to by the initials R. G. for the purpose of maintaining confidentiality during the open meeting. All R. G.’s interactions were conducted by conference call with the board members.
During the Cameron Hooker trial, there was a “battle of the experts” in which both the defense and prosecution called upon forensic psychologists as expert witnesses. Expert witnesses are used in cases to provide insight based on there area of expertise. The extensive knowledge they have in there field can hopefully clear up any misconceptions in the case for all those involved. One area in which the expert witnesses tried to clear discrepancies in the case was Colleen Stan’s submissiveness to Hooker as well as her lack of attempt to escape captivity.
According to Greenberg and Shuman (1997) dual roles have not been abolished despite the fact that engaging in dual roles has corresponding ethical principles that may be overlooked. Even mental health professionals themselves, such as psychologists, are still confused with why the ethical principles exist and how they influence the behavior of therapists. Greenberg and Shuman (1997) specifically address their article to the dual roles that psychologists and psychiatrists assume when they provide therapy to a patient-litigant and also serve as forensic experts in behalf of the patient in litigations.
Fall is a time of many chores around the house in preparation for the winter. These tasks include readying the furnace, turning it on and scheduling heating and AC repair in Mansfield, TX if required.
1). Forensic Psychology is the application of the theories of psychology to law and the legal system. Issues of violence and its impact on individuals and/or groups delineate the main and central concerns in Forensics within the adult, juvenile, civil, and family domains. Forensic psychologists provide advice to legislators, judges, correctional officers, lawyers, and the police. They are called upon, for example, to serve as an expert witness, diagnose and treat incarcerated and probationed offenders, and screen and evaluate personnel in the law enforcement and judicial systems. Forensics encompasses a wide range of academic orientation. Synonyms for Forensic psychologists include criminal psychologist,
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that we currently face. With the ever-increasing uptake in the usage of fossil fuels, and getting ever closer to reaching peak oil, it is becoming of increasing importance to reduce our consumption of these non-renewable resources. The United Kingdom (UK) has been set a target to reduce its CO2 output level by at least 80% by 2050, in comparison to a 1990 baseline (Climate change act (2008)). This is a great challenge set by the European Union (EU) that UK is legally obliged to commit to. A large proportion of this CO2 output can be attributed to the UK’s housing sector, which currently accounts for 27% of the UK’s total CO2 level (Davies, P. and Osmani, M. (2011)). Clearly,
By definition in the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists, ‘psychologist’ refers to persons who, in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA) or state registration/licensure, practice psychology in a professional capacity. A ‘forensic psychology’ is the act of working, professionally, as a ‘psychological expert’ within the court system. Finally, a ‘forensic psychologist’ is the aforementioned psychologist working in the also defined field of forensic psychology (Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, 1991, p. 657).
Legal malpractice claims are often difficult for jurors to fully understand. First, they must determine that the attorney committed some sort of wrong, and that, had this wrong not been committed, the outcome of the case would have been better for the client. Next, the jury must determine that the attorney’s actions were inappropriate under the jurisdiction’s standards. Legal expert witnesses help explain these elements to jurors so they are easier to understand.
An expert witness is a person who is qualified with special skills or knowledge. The role of the expert witness is to help the jury understand the evidence (Olson, 2011.) The testimony of an expert witness is important in understanding the evidence in a clearer manner, even the opinions offered by expert witnesses should be based off special knowledge, skills, experience, training, or education (Buckles, 2007.) The knowledge of an expert witness should exceed that of the average person, however he/she may offer testimony on matters outside of their field of experience, but should make it clear that the information is outside their wheelhouse (Forensic Healthcare, 2015.) Expert forensic witnesses should provide independent objective unbiased
Another important aspect of a forensic psychiatrist need to cover once a patient referred to them, is to gives recommendation and treatment plan. Even though a psychiatrist does not involves in process of convicting an offenders, their recommendation still held important value for judge to gives their verdict.
A Forensic Psychologist focuses on “why people do bad things, why they commit crimes, lie to police officers, and treat their children abusively” (AllPsychologyCareers). There is this fascination with criminals and the psychopathy behind their actions and thoughts. According to All Psychology Careers, this field of study focuses on all types of research in psychology including clinical, developmental, social, clinical, behavioral and neuropsychological to blend together ideas and studies to apply to criminal action. The major focus of forensic psychologist is criminology and law because there needs to be a broad understanding of how the judicial system works and what statutes apply in what states. This type of work can be applied in many different settings such as prisons, correctional facilities, court systems, government agencies, parole boards and research.