Forensic Mental Health Assessment in Criminal Contexts: Key Concepts and Cases

A comprehensive guide to mental health case law, covering forensic psychological and neuropsychological assessment, ethical issues, and legal cases. It is valuable for forensic professionals, legal professionals, criminal justice departments, and law schools.

Format: Hardback
Length: 374 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive compendium significantly enhances the comprehension of mental health case law, rendering it immensely accessible to practicing forensic professionals. The book is organized into two distinct parts, the first section delves into elucidating crucial topics related to forensic psychological and forensic neuropsychological assessment, while the second section stands as a standalone compilation of captivating legal cases with profound relevance to mental health and legal professionals who are interested in understanding the impact of mental health disorders on criminal behavior among juveniles and adults.

The book commences with an accessible introduction to abnormal behavior, exploring the interconnectedness between criminal behavior and mental health disorders. It proceeds to provide a comprehensive account of the process involved in forensic psychological and forensic neuropsychological evaluations, encompassing a discussion of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which govern the generation of evidence during the mental health evaluation. Moreover, the book delves into psychometric concepts, such as reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity, while also exploring the realm of 'science and 'the law, which encompasses a discussion about the distinction between science and pseudoscience, the various sources of law (constitutions, statutes, and case law), and how the intellectually rigorous practice of law resembles the enterprise of science. Ethical considerations faced by forensic mental health workers are also addressed.

The second section of the book, titled "Legal Cases for the Forensic Mental Health Professional," presents an alphabetical summary of significant and intriguing legal cases with relevance for mental health professionals. These cases possess real-world significance while succinctly summarizing complex legal decisions through a neuropsychological lens, enabling both legal and psychological communities to gain insights.

In conclusion, this invaluable compendium serves as a vital resource for advancing the understanding of mental health case law, facilitating its accessibility to practicing forensic professionals. By dividing the content into two sections, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of forensic psychological and forensic neuropsychological assessment, while also presenting a collection of fascinating legal cases that shed light on the impact of mental health disorders on criminal behavior. The inclusion of an accessible primer on abnormal behavior, psychometric concepts, and ethical considerations makes the book an indispensable tool for professionals in the field of forensic mental health.

Weight: 706g
Dimension: 160 x 240 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367645083