1 Forensic Psychological Assessments Singapore https://www.psychconnect.sg/services/forensic-psychological-assessments-and-therapy Blog Thursday Pravin
How Forensic Psychological Assessments Can Help Forensic psychology combines the clinical practice of psychology and the law. Forensic psychological assessments are done to assist the court in investigating certain mental health aspects within the legal context. The main emphasis is on addressing the provided legal question to assist the court in making appropriate decisions based on empirically-based research, actuarial instruments, and psychological tests that are objective instead of subjective in nature. As opposed to traditional psychological assessments where the client is usually the person being evaluated, in forensic psychological assessments, the client is often the retaining party and that could be a court, attorney, or an agency. During the entire process of forensic psychological evaluation, the role of psychologists is to remain objective and inform the legal system with expert knowledge of the mental health and behavior of the person in question. What does forensic psychological assessment include? During forensic psychological assessments, a forensic psychologist use: Comprehensive clinical interview A thorough review of records Case law Collateral data Psychological tests Once the evaluation is done, it can be utilized by the court to address legal issues, such as: Competency to stand trial Criminal responsibility Transfer to adult court Determining insanity, the risk for violence, and sexual dangerousness Both adult and juvenile offenders may need forensic psychological assessment for a variety of reasons. When these evaluations are requested by the attorney, court, or an agency, forensic psychologists carry out the evaluation in civil or criminal court cases and also in correctional and law enforcement settings. Some of the forensic psychological evaluations may also be required in private offices or state hospitals.