Investigation of the ECST-R as a Measure of Competence and Feigning

• NCJ Number: 230556
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: March - April 2010 Pages: 91-106
• Author(s): Kerri A. Norton, M.A.; Nancy L. Ryba, Ph.D.
• Date Published: April 2010
• Length: 16 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Network for Safe Communities
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the effectiveness of the Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial-Revised (ESCT-R), a recently developed competency assessment instrument.

Abstract

Competency to stand trial is the most commonly raised psycholegal issue. Evaluations of a defendant's competency must be as accurate and complete as possible, and clinicians must be careful to screen for feigned incompetence. The Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial-Revised (ECST-R), a recently developed co-mpetency assessment instrument, assesses the constructs of both competence and feigning. The present study provides further validation research on the ECST-R by comparing the performance of honest responders and coached feigners. Results support the discriminant validity of the ESCT-R and homogeneity of individual scales. This study supports use of the competency scales and provides some support for the use of the feigning scales, although some caution is advised. Tables and references (Published Abstract)