Milestone One - Applying Feedback and Expanding Your Case Report

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2-2 Final Project Milestone One: Applying Feedback and Expanding Your Case Report PSY 626 Psychology in the Courtroom Southern New Hampshire University Rheeann King December 11, 2023

Milestone 1 Name : Doug X (Mr. X) Date of Birth: 9/18/1971 Chronological Age: 33 Date of Report: 5/12/2016 Assessment Tools Used: Review of Records Clinical Interview Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3) Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, & Strengths (IORNS) Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide (SARA) Identifying Data and Reasons for Referral This investigation aims to determine the degree of criminal risk Mr. X poses to society and his treatment requirements under his probation conditions. Code of Ethics When it comes to analyzing and interpreting data, ethical considerations must be taken into account. The APA's special guidelines for forensic psychology were developed to help practitioners avoid deception and ensure that their work is performed in a way that is both accurate and fair. To support their conclusions, psychologists must first base their

recommendations on the necessary materials and techniques. This can be done through the use of diagnostic or evaluative statements, as well as forensic testimony. If the outcome is not what the client desires, the psychologist can explain their reasoning. If there are issues with the validity or reliability of their results, forensic experts must first discuss their limitations and strengths. They must then use procedures that are appropriate for the specific language and comprehension of Mr. X. This review focused on the APA's Code of Conduct and Ethical Principles for Psychologists. According to Haeny (2014), the two principles highlighted the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of individuals who rely on them. Although it is their professional responsibility to safeguard the interests of their clients, psychologists should also be mindful of the potential misuse of their position. For instance, if a client is a Beta type, which means that he or she will require ongoing therapy, then the psychologist should ensure that the suggestions they make are in the client's best interests. Psychologists, including forensic experts, are required to follow the Code of Ethics established by the American Psychological Association (APA). This code aims to guide ethical behavior. In 2017, the organization explained that when making decisions regarding the conduct of psychologists, the Code should be considered alongside applicable regulations and laws. To stay ethical, psychologists must inform relevant parties about their client's personal information, which can include details such as past or present drug use or domestic abuse history. Gathering this information is necessary to diagnose and treat patients properly. The Code of Ethics for psychologists requires them to demonstrate their competency and to avoid conflicts. They should also gather informed consent, maintain confidentiality, and show responsibility. According to Lyon and Kalmbach, forensic psychologists, have to take special

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care when it comes to confidentiality and the roles and responsibilities involved in their work. Besides these, they also have to be aware of the various ethical standards that apply to their work. Having the necessary knowledge and skills can help psychologists maintain a professional reputation. Whenever a forensic psychologist feels that they are not competent to work with a certain patient, they can ask for referrals from colleagues. This is different from how traditional psychology works. In most cases, a patient is referred to a psychologist within the legal system. According to Lyons and Kalmbach, in most cases, the evaluation of a patient is not done on the client. Instead, it is carried out by the custodian or the individual. Having a good understanding of the type of client that they have can help a psychologist determine if the patient is competent to stand trial. Once the client has been identified, it's important for the practitioner to thoroughly explain the assessments they performed. The 2011 APA Statement on Ethics provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of truthfulness, accuracy, and honesty in the field of forensic psychology. It also emphasizes the importance of staying out of political pressures that may influence the provision of services that may be inaccurate or misleading. Forensic practitioners must recognize the challenges of the legal system and strive to treat all individuals fairly. As a psychologist, it's also important that you avoid taking on a role that could potentially affect your impartiality. For instance, if a personal, scientific, financial, or legal relationship with a client could be expected to negatively affect your objectivity, effectiveness, or competence, then you shouldn't work as a professional. A conflict can arise when a psychologist has a different role within the same organization or profession as the individual who is being evaluated. The practitioner must follow these ethical guidelines. Doing so can avoid harming both the patient and the psychologist.

Clarity Depending on the scope of their work, forensic psychologists or professionals may have to perform various roles. For instance, in a case involving probation questions and CPS, a psychological evaluation is performed to determine the necessary answers. Once the results have been analyzed, the forensic psychologist will then have to transform them into a written report that will be used as evidence. This is because, as an expert witness, they will be able to provide a detailed analysis of the treatment that's best for the patient. In some cases, the psychologist will also be able to provide a possible insight into the mindset of the offender. This is done according to the findings of the assessment and the common symptoms of the condition. Another part of this process is to analyze the history of the patient to see if there is a pattern of behavior that they're exhibiting. Roles and Responsibilities (a) One of the individuals who have a role in a case is a forensic psychologist. They have to follow the ethics guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA). This code of ethics ensures that all of them treat their patients with the utmost care and are ethical. The APA code of ethics has five principal elements that every professional should follow. One of these is the provision on Beneficence and Nonmaleficence. This section states that psychologists should always protect their clients and other people's rights and dignity. According to the APA code of ethics, psychologists should maintain professional standards and take responsibility for their actions. They should also manage conflicts that could lead to harm or exploitation. According to the APA's code of ethics, a psychologist should strive to be honest, accurate, and forthright in all aspects of the practice, teaching, and science. The justice code of the APA

also states that a practitioner must act fairly when providing services. This applies to the therapist's opinions about the substance use assessment. If the therapist doesn't agree with the assessment's findings, then they have to treat the client fairly. According to the APA's code of ethics, a psychologist should respect the worth and rights of all individuals, including those who rely on confidentiality, privacy, and autonomy. Privacy and confidentiality are vital in this type of setting as clients have the right to be protected from disclosure. If a court order is involved, then this does not apply to the therapist's opinions regarding the assessment. This applies to all aspects of the patient's case. The APA defines this as treating everyone equally. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. The organization also states that no information should be discussed in public. How the assessment is carried out is also important according to the code of ethics. This section covers the level of understanding that clients have, as well as the appropriate method for disseminating the results or scores. This should be accurate for court hearings, and it shows the level of professionalism displayed by the practitioner. Roles and Responsibilities (b) Another important individual is a probation officer who is assigned to a case. They are required to carry out their duties in a way that is consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States. In addition, they are also held to the APA code of ethics because they are professionals working with the public. Risk Assessment The concept of risk assessment is a tool used to estimate a person's likelihood of engaging in certain types of violent conduct. It can be used in various situations, such as when a

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person is involved in a parole or probation hearing, or when the person's rights have been terminated. Ethics guidelines state that assessors should avoid being associated with a potential conflict of interest. This often occurs when they are working as both a therapist and assessor. Treating physicians should avoid carrying out risk assessments. Although a therapist can form a bond with a patient, a forensic assessor must remain objective during the assessment. Mr. X's psychological evaluation is important to determine his personality traits, and competency to stand trial and conduct. Other risk factors can also be included in the evaluation to establish his specific risk profile. In the case of Mr. X, a risk assessment will be carried out by a psychologist, who will use a variety of techniques to gather information about his personality and the likelihood of him engaging in violent behavior. The results of these assessments can be used to determine the level of risk he poses to his family and other individuals. Collateral materials collected for the assessment indicated that Mr. X has an extensive criminal history, including a history of substance abuse and domestic violence. All of the evaluations that were used in this review met the Daubert standard, which consists of five components. According to Kucharski and Duncan, in 2008, a scientific method should be utilized in the assessment. It should be dependable and legitimate, and it should be peer-reviewed. The methodologies should also be recognized within the scientific community. Theories Reports indicate that Mr. X exhibited violent behavior because of his wife's affairs. He also reportedly forced his wife to consume illicit substances while they were having sex. His cognitive evaluation, however, did not find signs of psychosis. On the other hand, mood

disorders are usually associated with emotional problems. Mr. X was assigned a beta risk type based on the results of the assessment and the interview. He has a history of substance abuse and domestic violence. Despite his issues, he is still positive about his progress and continues to do what is necessary to maintain it. Although Betas are considered low-risk individuals, their histories are known for being violent and aggressive. If he vows to stay out of trouble, his behavior could change and he would not be able to continue on probation. Besides his past drug use, other factors such as his narcotic sales and past conduct must also be considered when it comes to his parole and probation requirements. References Craig, L., Browne, K., Stringer, I., & Beech, A. (2004). Limitations in actuarial risk assessment sexual offenders: a methodological note.The British Journal Of Forensic Practice,6(1), 16-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636646200400003 Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. (2002), 57(12), 1060- 1073.https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.57.12.1060 Haeny, A. (2014). Ethical Considerations for Psychologists Taking a Public Stance on Controversial Issues: The Balance Between Personal and Professional Life.Ethics &Behavior,24(4), 265-278.https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2013.860030 Kucharski, L., & Duncan, S. (2008). Interpretation of Extreme MMPI-2 Protocols: Use of

theMMPI-2 Infrequency Psychopathology (Fp) and the Infrequency Correctional (Fc) Scalesin the Detection of Malingering.Journal Of Forensic Psychology Practice,7(4), 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1300/j158v07n04_03 Specialty guidelines for forensic psychology. https://www.apa.org. (2021). https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/forensic-psychology.

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Milestone One - Applying Feedback and Expanding Your Case Report

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