Forensic social work: Legal aspects of professional practice : by Robert L. Barker and Douglas M. Branson The Haworth Press, Inc. (10 Alice Street, Binghamton, New York 13904-1580), 1993, 139 pp., hardcover—$26.95; softcover—$19.95.

Abstract

Contents * Preface and Acknowledgments * Chapter 1. Forensic Social Work in a Litigious Society * The Purpose of Forensic Social Work * Law in the Origins of Social Work * Early Affinity of Social Work and the Law * Divergence Between Social Work and the Law * Growth of the Litigious Society * Social Work's Renewed Interest * What Social Workers Must Know About the Law * The Emergence of Forensic Social Work * Chapter 2. The Practice of Forensic Social Work * What Do Forensic Social Workers Do? * Motivations for Forensic Social Workers * Payment for Forensics Experts * Positive Incentives * Forensic Social Work As a Part-Time Occupation * Steps Toward A Forensics Specialty * How Expert Witnesses Become Established * Referral-Building Activities * Forensic Marketing Organizations * Forensic Professional Groups * Forensic Experts in Related Fields * National Organization of Forensic Social Workers * Conclusion * Chapter 3. Testifying in Courtrooms * Types of Courtroom Witnesses * Roles of the Social Work Fact Witness * Distinguishing Fact and Expert Witness * The Subpoena * Presenting Testimony Effectively * Responding to Direct Examination * Responding to Cross-Examination * Hazards in Presenting Testimony * Testifying Against Clients * The Testimony of Children * Recovered or Implanted Memory * Ten Guidelines for the Effective Witness * Chapter 4. Testifying As an Expert Witness * Pretrial Negotiations * Negotiating Payment * Preparation As an Expert Witness * Rehearsing Expert Testimony * Voir Dire: Qualifying As an Expert * Presenting Expert Testimony * Direct Examination of the Expert * Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses * Tactics to Impeach Expert Witnesses * Conclusion * Chapter 5. Malpractice and How To Avoid It * Some Malpractice Examples * Responsibility for Therapy Outcomes * Alleged Child Abuse: To Report or Not? * The Ramona (ital.) Case * Criteria for Malpractice Liability * Preventive and Defensive Practices * Conduct Leading to Malpractice Claims * Chapter 6. When Laws and Ethics Collide * The Limits of Confidentiality * Child Abuse and Neglect Laws * The Tarasoff (ital.) Case * Rationale of Judges and Legal Officials * Guidelines for Coping * Implementing the Actual Warning * Jaffee vs. Redmond (ital.) * Conclusion * Chapter 7. Preparing for Litigation * Recognizing a Potential Legal Hazard * The Emotional Risks of Litigation * When to Seek Legal Help * Costs of Litigation * Goals in Hiring a Lawyer * Trial or Settlement? * Chapter 8. Professional Review: Judgment by Colleagues * Need for Alternatives to Law Courts * Philosophies of Reviewing Organizations * Types of Sanctions * Disciplinary Action Reporting System (DARS) * Third-Party Review Procedures * NASW Peer Review Procedure * Critique of NASW Adjudication Procedures * Other Professional Review Procedures * Inevitability of Peer Review * How To Avoid or Minimize Sanctions * When Misconduct Is Acknowledged * Chapter 9. Case Recording and Written Contracts * Report Writing for the Litigious Society * Record Keeping for Couples and Families * The Problem-Oriented (SOAP) Record * Accessibility of Case Records * Forensics Reports versus Case Records * The Written Contract * Written versus Verbal Contracts * The Preservation of Contracts and Records * Conclusion * Chapter 10. Legal and Professional Credentials * Practicing Without Credentials * Consequences of Misrepresentation * What Are Credentials? * Origins of Social Work Credentials * Requirements for Professional Credentials * Social Work Licensure * Comparing Credentials with Other Professions * Unresolved Credentialing Problems * The AASSWB Model Social Wo