Prevalence and Assessment of Malingering in Homicide Defendants Using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Rey 15-Item Memory Test

• NCJ Number: 245018
• Journal: Homicide Studies Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2013 Pages: 314-328
• Author(s): Wade C. Myers; Ryan C.W. Hall; Marina Tolou-Shams
• Date Published: August 2013
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study surveyed malingering prevalence in pretrial homicide defendants.

Abstract

This study surveyed malingering prevalence in pretrial homicide defendants and assessed the usefulness of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Rey 15-Item Memory Test (FIT) in detecting malingering among them. Malingering prevalence was 17 percent. MMSE and FIT scores were positively correlated. The MMSE and FIT had modest positive predictive value (67 percent and 43 percent), but reasonably good negative predictive value (93 percent and 89 percent), for malingering. Overall, the MMSE outperformed the FIT, with no advantage to combined use of the MMSE and FIT over the MMSE. The widely used MMSE, traditionally a bedside test of cognition, may have a role in malingering assessment. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.