What is the Value of a Forensic Psychologist?

By Howard J. Friedman, PhD, ABPP fpamed Forensic Neuropsychologist Forensic psychology is the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Forensic psychologists apply their knowledge of psychology to legal issues and often work with criminal cases. They can play a valuable role in the legal process by providing insights into the mental states of individuals […]

Criminal Responsibility and Legal Insanity

Chapter 15 from Forensic Psychology: Crime, Justice, law, Interventions, Fourth Edition explores the history and caselaw as well as describes the forensic mental health assessment of criminal responsibility, and in particular – the not guilty by reason of insanity defence in criminal cases. Particularly, the mental illness defence is explored through examination of case law and case studies from the United States in which the author, John Matthew Fabian, has been involved.

Two’s Company, Three’s A Crowd: The Problem of Third Party Presence in Forensic Psychiatric Examinations.

Years ago, the distinguished and esteemed George Washington University forensic psychiatrist Robert I Simon MD, who sadly died earlier this year, wrote a wonderful monograph entitled “Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd,” outlining the scientific and ethical problems posed by the presence of a third party during a forensic psychiatric examination. In 2003, a California Appellate […]

Even the Playing Field in Child Custody with a Forensic Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

The end of a marriage is a difficult time for most people. When there is also the issue of child custody, emotions and tensions run high. The person that you have been married to and shared your life with can suddenly seem like a total stranger. It may seem that your spouse has all of […]

The Difference between Forensic Psychiatrists and Forensic Psychologists

The Difference between Forensic Psychiatrists and Forensic Psychologists Many people wonder what the difference is between a forensic psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist.  Psychiatrists are physicians who have received extensive training in the areas of mental disorders, their diagnosis and their treatment. Like other kinds of physicians, they can perform laboratory tests and prescribe medications […]

The Importance of Psychological Testing Evaluations of Emotional Distress Claims in Employment Litigation

by Sarah Hall, PhD fpamed forensic neuropsychologist, Sarah Hall, PhD, explains in this comprehensive article the important role of psychological testing when conducting forensic psychiatric assessments of plaintiffs who allege emotional distress in litigation. All testing in medicine, including blood tests, imaging studies and psychological testing, merely answers a membership question: based upon the examinee’s […]

Assessing Emotional Damages in Multi-Plaintiff Litigation

Assessing Emotional Damages

Expert Witness Disclosure – Proposed Changes to Federal Rule 26

There are proposed significant changes to the disclosure requirement features of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 26. These changes will extend work product immunity.Congress makes changes to the widely endorsed Aproposal awaiting Supreme Court approval on May 1, 2010, as of December 1, 2010 Experts will no longer be required to disclose draft versions of their FRCP 26(a)(2) Reports. Furthermore they will no longer be required to disclose communication including electronic communication between the expert and the retaining attorney

Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Dependence & Abuse

The following are the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Dependence and Abuse, asscording to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revised (DSM-IVTR), American Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C. 2000. 303.90 Alcohol Dependence Refer, in addition, to the general text and criteria for Substance Dependence. Physiological dependence on alcohol is indicated by evidence […]

MCLE Presentation Topics

The following is a list of topics about which fpamed experts can offer educational MCLE presentations:   “Heck of a Job!” –  The Role of Forensic Psychiatrists and Psychologists in Employment Litigation. Heck of a Job! Understanding & Assessing Emotional Damage Claims in Employment Litigation “Stressing the Point” – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): What it is […]

“The Last Dance” – PowerPoint Presentation on Issues of Testamentary Capacity & Allegations of Undue Influence in Will Contests

Download “The Last Dance” – Issues of Testimentary Capacity & Undue Influence in Will Contests.pdf

Liability for the Psychiatrist Expert Witness

Professor Renee Binder, MD, former Acting Chairman, Department of Psychiatry UCSF, former President American Academy of Psychiatry & the Law and Chief of the Forensic Psychiatric Fellowship Program at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, has written an excellent and comprehensive article discussing the various liabilities that a psychiatrist testifying as a […]

Overcoming Obstacles to the Independent Examination of Emotional Damages Defense

Comment Spring 2004 by Saul Rosenberg, PhD & Mark Levy, MD Download OvercomingObstacles.pdf

Assessing the Truth: How Forensic Psychiatrists & Psychologists Evaluate Litigants

Forensic psychiatrist Mark Levy MD and forensic neuropsychologist Ronald Roberts, PhD co-authored an article for San Francisco Attorney Magazine, Spring, May 2008. In it, they explain the process and methods used by forensic behavioral experts when conducting an evaluation of an individual as part of a legal proceeding.

What Is Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology is the application of the science of psychology to legal issues. The word “forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis”, meaning “of the forum” and relates the Forum in ancient Rome where the earliest courts were held. The practice of Forensic Psychology is focused on the interface between psychology and the law. It […]

What is Neuropsychology?

Neuropsychologist measure aspects of voluntary cognitive, or brain functioning through the use of a variety of objective standardized tests. The use of such tests makes it possible to compare the individual’s functioning in specific areas statistically to that of other individuals of similar age and educational levels. The analysis of the pattern of test data […]