Forensic Psychological Evaluation Research Articles

The Role of Neuroprediction and Artificial Intelligence in the Future of Criminal Procedure Support Science: A New Era in Neuroscience and Criminal Justice

Recent developments in the field of neuroimaging in the world of neuroscience, when combined with artificial intelligence and, more specifically, with the use of mechanical engineering, have resulted in the creation of brain reading technology that may soon be widely used in scientific fields in the world including detecting, for example, criminal lies. When used in forensic psychiatry, this approach can increase the precision of risk assessment and help determine areas where intervention can be most effective. Neuro prediction with artificial intelligence can be called AI. This neuroprotection is a method of predicting criminal behaviour by finding biomarkers of brain function that can indicate that someone is committing crimes in the future. Normative legal research or library legal research (library research), with a statute, conceptual, comparative, historical, or futuristic approach. The nature of the research used in this research is descriptive-prescriptive and uses content analysis. The result of this research is to dissect the development of AI Neuroprediction in forensic psychiatry and criminal justice with attention to this technology's legal and ethical implications and potential applications. In the future, AI neuroprediction may play an important role in integrating forensic psychology into the criminal justice system. Through in-depth analysis of neurological data, AI neuroprediction could assist in identifying behavioral patterns or tendencies that might influence a person's criminal propensity, thus enriching traditional forensic psychological evaluations. It may also contribute to creating more precise and personalized intervention strategies to prevent repeat crimes.

A simulation study on the utility of the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms-Second Edition (SIRS-2) in Taiwan Region adults

ABSTRACT The Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) and its revised edition (SIRS-2) are frequently used in forensic psychological evaluations for assessing response style. The present research investigated the utility of this instrument in Taiwan Region adults. In a simulation design, 143 nonclinical volunteers were randomly assigned to either simulating or honest-responding groups. Results indicated that the primary scales of the Chinese SIRS-2 possessed acceptable internal consistency and generated large to very large effect sizes (1.39–2.17) in differentiating simulators and genuine respondents. The convergent validity of the Chinese SIRS-2 was supported by the correlations of its scales with the Chinese MMPI-2 validity scales. Confirmatory factor analysis results showed a one-factor model. The decision models of both the SIRS and SIRS-2 resulted in few to no false positives, while the SIRS had greater sensitivity than the SIRS-2. The SIRS-2 total score generated discrimination rates comparable to the published manual in detecting feigning or honest responding. Results supported the use of the Chinese SIRS-2 in Taiwan Region adults. However, as the research methodology inflates both effect sizes and specificity estimates, further research is needed to examine the clinical utility of the Chinese SIRS-2.

Persecution and migration experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minority asylum seekers.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) asylum seekers are exposed to high rates of persecution. This study aimed to identify the forms of ill treatment and the impact of these experiences on the mental health of 66 self-identified LGBTQ+ asylum seekers from 24 nations through the analysis of human rights program intakes, sworn declarations, and pro bono forensic psychological evaluation affidavits. The results indicate that participants experienced physical assault (92.4%), harassment and intimidation (84.8%), and sexual assault (56.1%). Psychological sequelae included symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 83.3%), depression (72.7%), and anxiety (57.6%). LGBTQ+ asylum seekers faced additional hazards upon arrival in the United States. Still, these asylum seekers experienced resilience as they leveraged internal and external support. The results can serve to inform clinical professionals about the range and impact of exposures to harm experienced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers as well as possible strategies for support and advocacy for this diverse community.

Drowsiness Prediction Based on Multiple Aspects Using Image Processing Techniques: A Review

Abstract: Clinical depression is a type of soft biometric trait that can be used to characterize a person. Because of its importance in a variety of legal situations, this mood illness can be included in forensic psychological evaluations. In recent years, research into the automatic detection of depression based on real image has yielded a variety of algorithmic approaches and auditory indicators. Machine learning algorithms have recently been used successfully in a variety of image-based applications. Automatic depression recognition - the recognition of facial expressions linked with sad behaviour – is one of the most important applications. Modern algorithms for detecting depression usually look at both geographical and temporal data separately. This method restricts the capacity to capture a wide range of face expressions as well as the use of different facial parts. This research introduces a novel machine learning strategy for accurately representing face information associated to depressive behaviours from real-world images. Our suggested architecture outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in automatic depression recognition, according to results from two benchmark datasets.

Psychological Testing in Forensic Contexts Conducted Remotely.

The use of videoconferencing technology to conduct forensic psychiatric and forensic psychological evaluations remotely has grown considerably in the last decade. This commentary addresses a number of points made by Recupero regarding the use of remote technology to conduct forensic psychiatric evaluations. These points include the research supporting telepsychiatry and its generalizability to forensic assessment, the error rate associated with remote forensic assessment, and its general acceptance in the field. The commentary also considers the inclusion of psychological testing and specialized forensic measures in forensic assessment and describes criteria for considering tests and measures that can reasonably be included in a remotely conducted forensic assessment.

Depression Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network

Abstract: Clinical depression is a type of soft biometric trait that can be used to characterize a person. Because of its importance in a variety of legal situations, this mood illness can be included in forensic psychological evaluations. In recent years, research into the automatic detection of depression based on medical data has yielded a variety of algorithmic approaches and auditory indicators. Machine learning algorithms have recently been used successfully in a variety of applications. Automatic depression recognition - the recognition of expressions linked with sad behavior is one of the most important applications. Modern algorithms for detecting depression usually look at both geographical and temporal data separately. This research introduces a novel machine learning strategy for accurately representing face information associated to depressive behaviors from real-world medical data. Our suggested architecture outperforms state- of-the-art algorithms in automatic depression recognition, according to results from two benchmark datasets. Keywords: Depression recognition, deep learning, deep neural network.

Psychological Evaluation of Battered Women Who Kill in Self-Defense: A Review of 34 Cases

ABSTRACT Forensic psychological evaluations and expert witness testimony have only been permitted in self-defense cases for the past 30 years, beginning after laws were changed to permit battered women (BW) to protect themselves. These evaluations aid BW in negotiating pleas or arguing self-defense during trial, with varying degrees of success. This exploratory study analyzes data collected from cases of 34 women who killed in self-defense or who failed to protect their children from their battering partner, resulting in a murder charge. Batteries involved in forensic evaluations are described and case data for 12 women are provided. Further, risk assessment tools are described including an analysis of the Danger Assessment (DA), applied retrospectively (n = 26), supporting the validity of the women’s self-defense arguments. The presence of other historical risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) were assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire (n = 27) and the Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ) described in Millen et al. (2019). Many of the women in this dataset present as ‘other than’ in terms of their skin color or lifestyle (i.e., lesbians, substance users, sex workers, failure to protect children) is inconsistent with the cultural norm of their community. Responses obtained on administered assessments suggest examinees were at significant risk of experiencing intimate partner homicide (IPH). Despite these data and expert witness testimony provided, when IPV survivors commit crimes due to duress or violence they more likely to be viewed as criminals or murderers are less likely to be seen as survivors.

Impact of forensic medical evaluations on immigration relief grant rates and correlates of outcomes in the United States

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of forensic medical evaluations on grant rates for applicants seeking immigration relief in the United States (U.S.) and to identify significant correlates of grant success. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2584 cases initiated by Physicians for Human Rights between 2008 and 2018 that included forensic medical evaluations, and found that 81.6% of applicants for various forms of immigration relief were granted relief, as compared to the national asylum grant rate of 42.4%. Among the study's cohort, the majority (73.7%) of positive outcomes were grants of asylum. A multivariable regression analysis revealed that age, continent of origin, history of sexual or gender-based violence, gang violence, LGB sexual orientation, and being detained by the U.S. government at the time of evaluation request were statistically associated with case outcomes. Forensic physical evaluation was more strongly associated with a positive outcome than forensic psychological evaluation. Our findings strengthen and expand prior evidence that forensic medical evaluations can have a substantial positive impact on an applicant's immigration relief claim. Given the growing applicant pool in the U.S., there is an urgent need for more trained clinicians to conduct forensic medical evaluations as well as to educate adjudicators, immigration lawyers, and policy makers about the traumatic nature of the life-altering events that applicants for immigration relief experience.

Limitations Using Neuroimaging to Reconstruct Mental State After a Crime.

Neuroimaging offers great potential to clinicians and researchers for a host of mental and physical conditions. The use of imaging has been trumpeted for forensic psychiatric and psychological evaluations to allow greater insight into the relationship between the brain and behavior. The results of imaging certainly can be used to inform clinical diagnoses; however, there continue to be limitations in using neuroimaging for insanity cases due to limited scientific backing for how neuroimaging can inform retrospective evaluations of mental state. In making this case, this paper reviews the history of the insanity defense and explains how the use of neuroimaging is not an effective way of improving the reliability of insanity defense evaluations.

The Rorschach and Violent Crime

Abstract. Over the years, a significant number of Rorschach studies have been conducted with forensic adult and adolescent samples, partly motivated by the use of the test in forensic psychological evaluations. Could the Rorschach, as a performance-based personality assessment tool, provide unique information that is not as vulnerable to distortion on the part of the examinee as self-report measures are? This article provides a review of Rorschach studies on relevant Rorschach variables, including those with different forensic samples. Empirical findings are mixed; there is not a one-on-one relationship between certain Rorschach variables and forensically relevant traits, such as psychopathy or hostility. This does not mean the Rorschach cannot provide useful information in answering psychological questions before the court. A case illustration of a male college student, who committed a (first) violent offense, illustrates the unique contribution of the Rorschach for understanding the psychological dynamics behind a violent act that was seemingly out of character.

‘Anyone who commits such a cruel crime, must be criminally irresponsible’: context effects in forensic psychological assessment

In recent years, it has become clear that expert opinion can be biased. It has been argued that forensic psychologists may also be susceptible to bias. In the present study, the vulnerability of forensic psychological evaluation of the suspect’s mental health to the context effect (i.e. the influencing of the expert opinion by irrelevant information) was tested. Master students in forensic psychology were asked to interpret test scores of a suspect in a fictitious double murder case. Some participants received a version of the case in which the description of the murders was neutral. Others received a more explicit version. Whereas the explicitness should not affect the forensic psychological evaluation, it was found that participants in the latter condition seemed more concerned about the suspect’s mental health than those in the former. It is concluded that training programmes in forensic psychological assessment should devote attention to bias.

Forensic psychological evaluations of child sexual abuse: Process of disclosure and its chronicity in the Peruvian highlands

ObjectiveTo analyse the relationship between the characteristics of the victim, the aggressor and sexual abuse in children and adolescents with the disclosure process; as well as with the chronicity of the event in the Division of the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Junín region-Perú. Materials and methodsAs a general method of research, the scientific method was applied, carrying out a quantitative study, with a cross-sectional design. All forensic psychological evaluations from January to December of 2017 were analysed, of which only those that fulfilled the selection criteria were selected, leaving a total of 97 cases. ResultsData from 97 psychological examinations of minors who were victims of sexual abuse were obstructed. Of the victims, 89.7% were female, 99% of the aggressors were male, 47% of the cases of sexual abuse occurred within the family home setting and 5% of victims became pregnant. The highest frequency of recurrent events was when the mother was not living at home (aPR: 1.44; 95%CI: 1.34−1.56; P < .001), living outside the city (aPR: 1, 27; 95%CI: 1.11−1.45; P = .001), late disclosure of abuse (aPR: 2.94; 95%CI: 1.79−4.84; P < .001), and among those who unintentionally revealed the event (aPR: 1.37; 95%CI: 1.06−1.78; P = .001); in contrast, extra-family offenders were less frequent among those with multiple events (aPR: .63, 95%CI: .44−.91, P = .014), adjusted for sex and age. ConclusionsThe factors associated with recurrent sexual abuse were the victim's relationship with the mother, place of birth of the victim, disclosure latency, circumstance of the disclosure and type of link between victim and aggressor.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ МОВИ ТА МОВЛЕННЯ В СУДОВО-ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІЙ ЕКСПЕРТИЗІ (НА ПРИКЛАДІ СУДОВО-ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОЇ ЕКСПЕРТИЗИ КОМУНІКАТИВНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ОСОБИ, ЗАФІКСОВАНОЇ У ВІДЕОЗАПИСІ)

A forensic examination provides an investigation and a court with additional information which is considered to be provable and essential for proceedings and can not be extracted from other sources. The forensic psychological evaluation is supposed to be one of the most complicated. It is a psychological assessment, which requires high professional skills, moral and personal qualities while passing judgment in criminal, civil, administrative trials, etc. To solve the issues of evidence, exercise psychological pressure on the person, who reports about the circumstances investigated during the proceedings, the method of a forensic psychological evaluation of the communicative activity of a person, recorded in the video, is applied. In the midst of a psychological examination an expert analyzes respondent’s language and communication and discovers facts which are necessary for further work. The success of an examination depends on psychologist`s skills to take these facts into account.The effectiveness of an expert examination, made by a psychologist from a respondent`s communicative activity, directly depends on the language and communication analysis. Language can not be studied apart from a person and it includes personal individual-psychological peculiarities. The results can be applied in the expert performance by psychologists in respondent`s communication analysis.As a consequence, the forensic psychological evaluation is supposed to be one of the most complicated. It constantly develops and enhances due to the new methods and techniques which are used in its examination. The forensic psychological evaluation resolves a number of important issues, in particular, determines the peculiarities of the communication activity recorded in the video. To determine them, the technique of a forensic psychological evaluation of the communicative activity of a person, recorded in the video, is used. A psychologist in the analysis of the language and communication is guided by this method and their own knowledge. When revealing the nature of respondent`s communication it is necessary to take into account the individual-psychological features of a person.A complete analysis by a psychologist of the respondents` language and communication is a background for the value of the entire study.

Evaluaciones psicológicas forenses de abuso sexual en menores: proceso de revelación y cronicidad del evento en la serranía peruana

ObjectiveTo analyse the relationship between the characteristics of the victim, the aggressor and sexual abuse in children and adolescents with the disclosure process; as well as with the chronicity of the event in the Division of the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Junín region-Perú. Materials and methodsAs a general method of research, the scientific method was applied, carrying out a quantitative study, with a cross-sectional design. All forensic psychological evaluations from January to December of 2017 were analysed, of which only those that fulfilled the selection criteria were selected, leaving a total of 97 cases. ResultsOf all the victims, 90% were female, 99% of the aggressors were male, 66.0% of cases occurred in a family environment and 5% of victims became pregnant. The highest frequency of recurrent events was when the mother was not living at home (aPR: 1.44; 95%CI: 1.34-1.56; p <.001), living outside the city (aPR: 1, 27; 95%CI: 1.11-1.45; p=.001), late disclosure of abuse (aPR: 2.94; 95%CI: 1.79-4.84; p <.001), and among those who unintentionally revealed the event (aPR: 1.37; 95%CI: 1.06-1.78; p=.001); in contrast, extra-family offenders were less frequent among those with multiple events (aPR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.91, p=.014), adjusted for sex and age. ConclusionsThe factors associated with recurrent sexual abuse were the victim's relationship with the mother, place of birth of the victim, disclosure latency, circumstance of the disclosure and type of link between victim and aggressor.

Base Rate of Probable Malingering and its Indicators in the Assessment of Mental Disorders - Retrospective Analysis of a Sample of Forensic Psychological Evaluations

Estimation of a base rate of malingering in accordance with changes of the complexity of assessment in a sample of forensic psychological evaluations. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1175 psychological evaluations over the course of 16 years (2000-2015). With the use of increasingly complex methods, inconsistencies are reported more frequently and a higher rate of feigning (47,2%) in symptom validity testing is noted. However, the overall rate of malingering is only 15,8%. A uniform multi-methods approach guarantees that there does not develop any bias in the assessment across evaluators. The revealed rate of malingering matches recent reviews that call into question estimations which had yielded substantially higher rates. Symptom validity tests serve as an important decision-making tool for psychological evaluators. For the overall assessment, however, other possible inconsistencies are taken into account.

Psychological evaluation of children victims of sexual abuse: development of a protocol.

Sexual abuse (SA) is associated with significant psychological problems in childhood, making it increasingly important to develop evaluation protocols. This study examined clinical aspects and cognitive measures of 49 children (24 with SA history and 25 controls). It employed a SA assessment questionnaire, clinical evaluations of posttraumatic stress disorder, risk indicators and neuropsychological tests in order to elaborate a specific forensic psychological evaluation protocol for this population. Conflicting couples (80%), separated parents (68%) and parents’ alcohol/drug abuse (76%) were revealed as major risk factors. Fathers represented the primary perpetrator (24%). The main cognitive complaint was difficulty concentrating. Regarding the association between clinical and cognitive variables, it was observed that children who were anxious or referred to having fear, difficulties with operational memory and difficulty sleeping, had more trouble performing tasks that required attention and memory (operational, immediate and late). Children with SA history demonstrated inferior performance in visual attention/task switching and memory; with an emphasis in the loss of set in the Wisconsin test. The findings suggest the possibility of a primary attention deficit in children with SA history, possibly influencing the performance of other cognitive functions.

Addressing the need for forensic psychological evaluations of asylum seekers: The potential role of the general practitioner

Asylum seekers who have survived torture and other abuses may experience a wide range of psychological symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. During the asylum process, attorneys might refer their clients to clinicians who document these psychological sequelae of human rights violations. However, the need for forensic psychological evaluations exceeds the number of mental health clinicians available to provide these assessments. It has been suggested that primary care physicians, professionals who already play essential roles in the identification and treatment of mental health issues, may be able to conduct these evaluations. Yet, there is little empirical knowledge of what prior training and clinical experiences support mental health and non-mental health professionals who engage in this work, and what is needed to prepare general practitioners to provide forensic psychological evaluations to asylum seekers. This pilot study found non-mental health practitioners with experience in psychological forensic evaluations reached a level of confidence in conducting evaluations of asylum seekers comparable to general mental health practitioners. The study also identified clinicians’ perceptions of training that supports them in their forensic psychological evaluations, their professional development needs, and the potential for general practitioners to leverage their current skill sets in this work.

Te Ethical Problems in Forensic Psychological Expert Evaluation: A View from Modern Russia

Te Ethical Problems in Forensic Psychological Expert Evaluation: A View from Modern Russia

La Simulación del Acoso Laboral en el LIPT-60: Implicaciones para la Evaluación Psicológica Forense

A case-by-act in forensic psychology is mobbing. With the intention of contributing to the development of existing techniques, LIPT-60 usefulness for the forensic psychological evaluation of mobbing was analysed. A sample of 90 workers, half male and half female, completed LIPT-60 in a feigning design under two conditions: first under standard/reality instructions and then under feigning instructions. The results revealed that the sample was able to feign suffering from mobbing in LIPT-60; they carried out two feigning strategies, suffering exaggeration and indiscriminate grouping of mobbing behaviors; that NEAP’s and IMAP’s cut-off points, suggested for suspected feigning, are not validfor forensic practice; and that there were no feigning differences based on gender. Implications for forensic practice are discussed in this study.

Special considerations when conducting forensic psychological evaluations for immigration court.

Immigrants are more likely to experience mental health symptoms due to the trauma and persecution they often experience before arrival, and the stress of migration. In addition, as immigration policies have become more restricted in the United States, larger numbers of immigrants are facing deportation, proceedings, and/or detention. This has increased the demand for psychologists who are needed to conduct forensic psychological evaluations in immigration courts. Psychologists can aid immigration courts in a number of ways, including by providing evidence of trauma in asylum seekers or in victims of human trafficking, or by assessing competency to participate in immigration proceedings, or risk for violence. Through a case sample, this paper highlights special considerations when conducting cross-cultural forensic assessments in immigration court and illustrates some ways in which clinical psychologists can apply their knowledge to immigration proceedings by developing expertise in the areas of multicultural psychology and forensic assessment.