The Ethical Practice of Forensic Psychology A Casebook

Few resources exist for those interested in developing their professional competence vis-à-vis ethics in forensic psychology, with the most recent text being published more than a decade ago. However, forensic psychology is changing quickly and there is a need for a current guide on ethics within the field.

The Ethical Practice of Forensic Psychology highlights the ethical standards and guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (EPPCC) and the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology (SGFP). This Casebook provides readers with a practical review of these ethical standards and professional guidelines in the context of forensic case vignettes with corresponding commentary by leaders in the field. Concepts are presented using a best-practices model that encourages and promotes engaging in empirically supported decision-making. This volume is distinct from all others published in this area, given its inclusion and integration of a review of the ethical standards and guidelines contained in the EPPCC and SGFP, in addition to numerous types of ethical dilemmas encountered in forensic practice, a review of the relevant empirical literature and case law/legal statutes, and commentary by experts in forensic psychology. This unique Casebook will prove useful for a broad audience including academics in forensic psychology, psychology graduate and post-doctoral students and trainees, practitioners, mental health counselors, social workers, and legal professionals.

Gianni Pirelli is a Licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey, wherein he maintains a private practice in clinical and forensic psychology. His primary areas of research include forensic mental health assessment, firearm-related matters, and ethics and standards of practice in forensic psychology.

Robert A. Beattey is a former prosecutor and civil litigator. He is an Enhanced Chancellor's Fellow in the Psychology Ph.D. program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, where he has been studying, teaching, and researching clinical and forensic psychology and neuropsychology.

Patricia A. Zapf is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York, and Director of Education and Training for Consolidated Continuing Education and Professional Training (CONCEPT). She maintains a private practice in forensic evaluation and is licensed in Alabama, Florida, Missouri, and New York.

Series Foreword by Ronald Roesch
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Editors
Authors
Expert Contributors
Introduction

Chapter 1: Identifying the Forensic Psychologist Role
Tess M.S. Neal

Vignette 1a: Defining Forensic Psychology
Expert Response #1: David DeMatteo
Expert Response #2: Ira Packer

Vignette 1b: Therapeutic Versus Forensic Roles
Expert Response #1: Stanley L. Brodsky
Expert Response #2: Stephen L. Golding

Vignette 1c: Allegiance and Objectivity
Expert Response #1: Barry Rosenfeld
Expert Response #2: Daniel Murrie

Chapter 2: Professional Competence
Christina Massey

Vignette 2a: Scope of Competence, and Developing and Maintaining Competence
Expert Response #1: Anita L. Boss
Expert Response #2: Dan Krauss and Edward "Rhett" E. Landis

Vignette 2b: Legal Knowledge and Knowledge of the Empirical Literature
Expert Response #1: Matt C. Zaitchik
Expert Response #2: Jeffrey C. Singer

Vignette 2c: Representing Competencies and Advertising
Expert Response #1: W. Neil Gowensmith
Expert Response #2: Gianni Pirelli

Chapter 3: Identifying the Client and Professional Services
Raina V. Lamade

Vignette 3a: Identifying the Client
Expert Response #1: Stephen L. Golding
Expert Response #2: Antoinette E. Kavanaugh

Vignette 3b: Informed Consent and Internet-Based Data
Expert Response #1: Barry Rosenfeld
Expert Response #2: Patricia A. Zapf

Vignette 3c: Record Keeping, HIPAA, and Release of Information
Expert Response #1: Eric G. Mart
Expert Response #2: Rebecca Weiss

Chapter 4: Recognizing and Managing Professional Boundaries
Rebecca Spizzirri

Vignette 4a: Conflicts of Interest and Multiple Relationships
Expert Response #1: Robert Prentky
Expert Response #2: Elizabeth L. Jeglic

Vignette 4b: Considering the Impact of Personal Beliefs and Experience
Expert Response #1: Jorge G. Varela
Expert Response #2: Gianni Pirelli

Vignette 4c: Providing Emergency Services to Forensic Examinees
Expert Response #1: Eric G. Mart
Expert Response #2: Christina A. Pietz

Chapter 5: Navigating Conflicts with Systems and Other Professionals
Lauren Kois

Vignette 5a: Conflicts with Legal Authority and Organizational Demands
Expert Response #1: David DeMatteo
Expert Response #2: Jorge G. Varela

Vignette 5b: Attorney Work Product
Expert Response #1: Michael H. Fogel
Expert Response #2: Sean P. Hiscox

Vignette 5c: Resolving Ethical Issues with other Mental Health Professionals
Expert Response #1: John F. Edens
Expert Response #2: Sean P. Hiscox

Chapter 6: Forensic Assessment I: Structuring the Evaluation
Casey LaDuke

Vignette 6a: Identifying the Referral Question and Addressing Multiple Psycholegal Questions in a Single Evaluation
Expert Response #1: Louis B. Schlesinger
Expert Response #2: Mark D. Cunningham

Vignette 6b: Test Selection, Consideration of Individual and Group Differences, and Legal Admissibility Standards
Expert Response #1: Dustin B. Wygant
Expert Response #2: Antoinette E. Kavanaugh

Vignette 6c: Third-Party Presence
Expert Response #1: Mark D. Cunningham
Expert Response #2: Michael H. Fogel

Chapter 7: Forensic Assessment II: Conducting the Evaluation
Christopher King

Vignette 7a: Maintaining the Scope of the Evaluation and Testing Rival Hypotheses
Expert Response #1: Kirk S. Heilbrun
Expert Response #2: Daniel J. Neller

Vignette 7b: Assessing Response Style
Expert Response #1: William E. Foote
Expert Response #2: Dustin B. Wygant

Vignette 7c: Considering Collateral Information Including Internet-Based Data
Expert Response #1: Denis L. Zavodny and Gregory DeClue
Expert Response #2: Gianni Pirelli

Chapter 8: Forensic Assessment III: Interpreting Evaluation Findings
Paige B. Harris

Vignette 8a: Weighing Data Impartially and Considering Single Data Points
Expert Response #1: Philip H. Witt
Expert Response #2: Randy K. Otto

Vignette 8b: Use of Appropriate Tests and Normative Data
Expert Response #1: Denis L. Zavodny and Gregory DeClue
Expert Response #2: Kevin S. Douglas

Vignette 8c: Consideration of Idiographic Data
Expert Response #1: Matt C. Zaitchik
Expert Response #2: Philip H. Witt

Chapter 9: Forensic Assessment IV: Conveying Evaluation Findings and Opinions
Ekaterina Pivovarova

Vignette 9a: Providing Verbal Feedback
Expert Response #1: Stanley L. Brodsky
Expert Response #2: Elizabeth L. Jeglic

Vignette 9b: Transparency, Use of Jargon and Diagnostic Labels, and Commenting on Other Professionals' Work and Opinions in Reports and Testimony
Expert Response #1: Kirk S. Heilbrun
Expert Response #2: Randy K. Otto

Vignette 9c: Ultimate Issue Opinions
Expert Response #2: Daniel J. Neller
Expert Response #2: Rebecca Weiss

Vignette 9d: Providing Opinions of Persons not Examined
Expert Response #1: Louis B. Schlesinger
Expert Response #2: William E. Foote

Vignette 9e: Public and "Out of Court" Statements
Expert Response #1: Robert Prentky
Expert Response #2: Patricia A. Zapf

Chapter 10: Treatment
Hayley Wechsler

Vignette 10a: Being Therapeutic while Maintaining a Forensic Role
Expert Response #1: Ira K. Packer
Expert Response #2: Nancy Ryba Panza

Vignette 10b: Treatment Conflicts
Expert Response #1: W. Neil Gowensmith
Expert Response #2: Christina A. Pietz

Vignette 10c: Therapy Progress Notes and Reporting for Mandated Groups
Expert Response #1: Dan Krauss and Edward "Rhett" E. Landis
Expert Response #2: Michele Galietta

Chapter 11: Research
Debbie Green and Laura Grossi

Vignette 11a: Conducting Research with Vulnerable Populations: Access, Recruitment, and Informed Consent
Expert Response #1: Michele Galietta
Expert Response #2: John F. Edens

Vignette 11b: Obtaining Meaningful Samples and Data
Expert Response #1: Marcus T. Boccaccini
Expert Response #2: Naomi Goldstein and Emily Haney-Caron

Vignette 11c: Completion and Publication of Research
Expert Response #1: Daniel Murrie
Expert Response #2: Marcus T. Boccaccini

Index