NCJ Number
183779
Date Published
2000
Length
383 pages
Annotation
This book explores how insanity is conceptualized under the law and examines key issues surrounding insanity evaluations.
Abstract
Mental health and legal professionals involved in insanity cases need a solid foundation in current concepts, standards and methods. The book provides explicit, research-based guidelines for interview-based assessments, psychological testing and other specialized procedures, and forensic reports and testimony. The book is organized into two major parts. Clinical and Legal Issues provides a conceptual basis for understanding the insanity defense and the responsibilities of involved professionals, and commonly encountered clinical issues (e.g., malingering and amnesia) that greatly complicate insanity evaluations. Clinical Methods examines the use of interviews, testing, and specialized procedures in insanity evaluations; it also discusses the integration and presentation of data to the courts. The book provides mental health professionals with a theoretical and practical framework for conducting insanity evaluations, and provides attorneys with a foundation for evaluating the quality of insanity evaluations and challenging substandard assessments. Notes, tables, appendixes, references, indexes