FORENSIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY: FUNDAMENTALS AND PRACTICE.

Abstract

This is a very good book, covering all aspects of neuropsychological practice from basic psychometrics to the neuropsychologist as expert witness. The book is aimed at practising clinical neuropsychologists who wish to venture into the territory of the expert witness. That said, the book will also be of relevance to academic psychologists and professionals of related disciplines. Perhaps the biggest drawback of the book for a British audience is its title. In the UK, \`forensic' infers that it has something to do with the criminal justice system or offending. This is not the case with this book. Here \`forensic' refers to the broad definition, meaning \`public'. Hence the authors go beyond neuropsychology as it applies to civil and criminal legal cases, and include all potential activities of the neuropsychologist relating to public discussion and debate. This includes \`worker's compensation, disability determination, education, personal injury, criminal, child custody, impaired professional and “fitness for duty” competency'. This is an advantage of the book, as it gives the reader a broad overview of how and where neuropsychological principles can be applied, and in what domains. However, I suspect that the title will attract forensic psychologists who are seeking something more specifically related to the criminal arena (who will be disappointed) and may also simultaneously repel neuropsychologists working in the civil, educational and …