Application: Civil Evaluations

There are various types of forensic psychology evaluations that are helpful in issues germane to the civil courts.

Some issues relevant to civil court proceedings include child custody issues, issues assessed by independent medical examinations (IMEs), competency issues of all types (i.e., competency to handle one's financial affairs, competency to execute a will, etc.), and issues centered around civil commitment.

In this Application you explore types of evaluations utilized in civil court proceedings, as well as the different reasons why and methods by which forensic psychology evaluations are performed.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review the assigned chapters in your course text Psychological Evaluations for the Courts. Pay particular attention to the psychological evaluations that are applicable to civil courts and when you would use each.

• Review the article "Assessing Decisional Capacity for Clinical Research or Treatment: A Review of Instruments," and focus on the different evaluations used for assessing capacity to consent.

• Select three types of civil forensic psychology evaluations that are of interest to you.

• Think about the similarities and differences of the evaluations you selected, as well as when and why you would use each.

The assignment: (1-3 pages)

• Compare (similarities and differences) the three civil forensic psychology evaluations you selected.

• Then explain when you would use each evaluation and why.

• Finally, explain what insights you had or conclusions you drew based on your comparison.

• Support your response with references from the literature.

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

Discussion - Evaluation Planning

As a forensic psychology professional, you will most likely work within civil courts at some point; therefore, you must understand how to plan a priori (or, prior to) when conducting a forensic psychology evaluation. There are many methods for planning and conducting forensic psychology evaluations. However, certain steps are imperative and must be included in an evaluation to ensure that it is adequate.

In this Discussion, you review forensic psychology evaluations applicable to the civil courts and learn how to plan for them. The "Keys to Evaluation Planning" document located in this week's Learning Resources provides information that is important to this and similar future assignments related to evaluation planning in criminal and juvenile courts.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the assigned chapters in your course text Psychological Evaluations for the Courts. Pay particular attention to the different psychological evaluations that are applicable in civil courts.

• Review the handout "Keys to Evaluation Planning," focusing on the steps for devising a plan for a forensic psychology evaluation. Think about the most important aspects of evaluation planning.

• Read the two vignettes located in the " Vignettes: Week 5" handout in this week's Learning Resources.

• Select one of the vignettes that is of particular interest to you, and think about how you would plan for evaluating the person in the vignette you selected, as well as what the most important parts of this planning might be.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 an explanation of how you would plan for evaluation of the individual in the vignette you selected based on the information provided. Be very specific. Then explain what you think would be the most important aspects of that planning. Finally, explain what insights you have gained about evaluation planning. Justify your response by using the Learning resources.

Note: Include the vignette you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who discussed the other vignette that you did not.

Attachment:- Keys to Evaluation Planning.rar