Forensic Consultation

Forensic psychology is the interaction of the practice or study of psychology and the law. Psychologists interested in this line of applied work may be found working in prisons, jails, rehabilitation centers, police departments, law firms, schools, government agencies, or in private practice, to name a few. They may work directly with attorneys, defendants, offenders, victims, pupils, families, or with patients within the state’s corrections or rehabilitation centers. Other psychologists interested in forensic psychology focus on the study of psychology and the law. They may work in colleges, universities, government agencies, or in other settings interested in researching and examining the interaction of human behavior, criminology, and the legal system.

Psychologists working in forensic psychology often come from a wide variety of education, training, and work experiences. All hold a doctorate degree in a field of psychology. Some graduate training programs now offer specializations in the field. Some of these psychologists also have education or training in the law or even hold a Juris Doctor – the degree earned by attorneys. Most working in applied settings such as a private practice or prison also hold a license to practice granted from their state’s board of psychology following the successful completion of an approved doctoral degree, pre and post doctoral training years, and passing scores on a series of board examinations. The exception to this is that some governmental agencies are considered exempt settings, which allows unlicensed psychologists to practice with supervision for a period of time.

Psychologists working in applied forensic psychology settings may provide a multitude of services, too many to fully describe here. Generally though, psychologists working in corrections may attend to the mental healthcare needs of inmates including, screening, psychological assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, anger management, crisis management, court-ordered evaluations, or daily inpatient rounds. They may also consult with prison staff, inmate attorneys, advocates, and court systems on a variety of mental health related topics or recommendations garnered as a result of psychological assessment. Psychologists working directly with attorneys may provide psychological assessment, personality assessment, assessment of mitigating factors, assessment of sexual offenders, competency evaluations, and recommendations for parental custody or visitation, to list just a few. Psychologists working in police departments often provide services for the department employees, such as counseling or crisis management.

Psychologists working in forensic psychology research or academic settings may teach or research on any topic in which psychology and the law interact. The field seems limitless. To name a few popular areas: criminal profiling, crime trends, effective mental health treatment for offenders, effective treatment for substance abusers, techniques for jury selection, impact of divorce, custody, separation, visitation on children. The list goes on.

Distinction Between Forensic and Therapeutic Evaluation

A forensic psychologist’s interactions with and ethical responsibilities to the client differ widely from those of a psychologist dealing with a client in a clinical setting.

Scope

Rather than the broad set of issues a psychologist addresses in a clinical setting, a forensic psychologist addresses a narrowly defined set of events or interactions on a nonclinical nature.

Importance of Client's Perspective

A clinician places primary importance on understanding the client’s unique point of view, while the forensic psychologist is interested in accuracy, and the client’s viewpoint is secondary.

Voluntarism

Usually in a clinical setting a psychologist is dealing with a voluntary client. A forensic psychologist evaluates clients by order of a judge or at the behest of an attorney.

Autonomy

Voluntary clients have more latitude and autonomy regarding the assessment’s objectives. Any assessment usually takes their concerns into account. The objectives of a forensic examination are confined by the applicable statutes or common law elements that pertain to the legal issue in question.

Threats to Validity

While the client and therapist are working toward a common goal, although unconscious distortion may occur, in the forensic context there is a substantially greater likelihood of intentional and conscious distortion.

Relationship and Dynamics

Therapeutic interactions work toward developing a trusting, empathic therapeutic alliance, a forensic psychologist may not ethically nurture the client or act in a “helping” role, as the forensic evaluator has divided loyalties and there are substantial limits on confidentiality he can guarantee the client. A forensic evaluator must always be aware of manipulation in the adversary context of a legal setting. These concerns mandate an emotional distance that is unlike a therapeutic interaction.

Pace and Setting

Unlike therapeutic interactions which may be guided by many factors, the forensic setting with its court schedules, limited resources, and other external factors, place great time constraints on the evaluation without opportunities for reevaluation. The forensic examiner focuses on the importance of accuracy and the finality of legal dispositions.

Dr. Haddock has extensive experience working collaboratively with attorneys on a wide range of forensic psychiatric issues.

Dr. Haddock assists individuals and institutions, plaintiffs and defendants, attorneys, federal agencies, and the courts in the process of evaluating claims for psychiatric damages, disability, and fitness for duty. He offers occupational and forensic services in the following areas:

Psychiatric Evaluation & Risk Assessment

Impulse Control Disorders

Evaluation of Addiction/Drug Dependence on Mental Status

Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations

Psychiatric Malpractice

Competency Evaluations

Litigation Consultation to Assist in Case Preparation

Maladaptive Effects of Prescription Medication

Impact of Medical Illness on Psychiatric Function and Competence

Evaluation of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder