Discussion : Consequences of Inadequate/Incorrect Criminal Psychological Evaluations
No one would argue the seriousness and importance of properly conducting forensic psychological evaluations and using appropriate evaluation methods when working with the courts.
For instance, in civil trials, money is often at stake. In juvenile courts, the potential rehabilitation of the accused, which will in turn affect the greater good of society, is an issue of concern.
Criminal courts, on the other hand, are often the setting for the most serious outcomes of inadequate or incorrect evaluations, which in certain cases can be someone's life. For this reason, criminal courts require the highest level of proof (beyond a reasonable doubt) of the trier of fact (a judge or jury).
Forensic psychological evaluations are serious matters that can have serious consequences. In this Discussion, you analyze what happens when forensic psychological evaluations are done either inadequately or incorrectly.
To prepare for this Discussion:
• Review the assigned chapters in your course text Psychological Evaluations for the Courts. Focus on the different forensic psychological evaluations applicable to criminal courts. Reflect on the consequences of an inadequate and/or incorrect evaluation in this setting.
• Think about real-life examples (contemporary or historical) in which criminal forensic psychological evaluations were inadequate and/or incorrect. You may search for examples using the Internet, library, or other resources.
• Reflect on the consequences of inadequate evaluations or incorrect use of evaluations.
• Select two real-life examples to use for this Discussion.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a brief description of the two real-life examples you selected. Then explain the consequences of inadequate and/or incorrect forensic psychological evaluations in criminal matters.
Finally, use the examples you selected to illustrate and justify your points. Be specific and reference the Learning Resources.
Application: Criminal Evaluations
Criminal courts ordinarily handle adults accused of felony crimes. At times, criminal courts will manage cases involving juveniles but only when they have been remanded out of juvenile court.
Criminal courts often rely on psychological evaluations to determine a number of different competencies of the accused.
The potential applications of these evaluations within the criminal courts range from the typical competency to stand trial evaluation, to the less common competency for execution evaluation.
Although, criminal court evaluations usually assess the defendant's competency on important legal matters, they also play a role in determining mental state at the time of the offense, as well as appropriate sentencing procedures at the conclusion of the trial.
In this assignment, you consider when and why you would use particular forensic psychological evaluations in criminal courts. You also explain the similarities and differences between them.
To prepare for this assignment:
• Review the assigned chapters in your course text Psychological Evaluations for the Courts. Focus on the different forensic psychological evaluations applicable to criminal courts. Pay particular attention to when and under what circumstances you would use each.
• Select three types of criminal forensic psychological evaluations that are of interest to you. Think about the similarities and differences between the three evaluations you selected.
The assignment: (1-3 pages)
• Briefly describe the three types of evaluations you selected and explain when and under what circumstances you would use each.
• Compare (similarities and differences) the criminal evaluations you selected.
• Explain what insights you had or conclusions you drew based on your comparison.
• Be specific. Support your response with references to the Learning Resources.
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 notincluded in the Learning Resources for this course.