The article explores the pivotal role of forensic evidence in the US criminal justice process, shedding light on its varied forms and indispensable contributions to criminal trials. Beginning with a comprehensive introduction, the discussion defines forensic evidence and underscores its significance. The first section delves into the intricacies of DNA evidence, tracing its historical evolution
The article delves into the crucial role of forensic evidence collection within the United States criminal justice process, emphasizing its significance in investigative procedures. Beginning with an exploration of the definition and purpose of forensic evidence, the discussion unfolds across three main types: DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, and trace evidence. Each category is examined with
The Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST) is a screening measure for the detection of feigned, or malingered, mental illness. The M-FAST may be used in psychological evaluations of an adult who might be attempting to fake a psychiatric disorder. Because of the reported prevalence of malingering and difficulty of accurate detection through clinical
Diplomates in forensic psychology are dually certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) and its parent organization, the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), as experts in applying the science and profession of psychology to U.S. law and the U.S. legal system. The certification process consists of four distinct phases: initial application, written
The forensic interview is a key element of any forensic evaluation. This detailed interview is used to gather information and clinical data required to answer a specific psycholegal referral question. The following sections outline the unique characteristics of forensic interviews, including legal contexts, referral questions, and other important considerations (e.g., use of collateral information, bias
This article reviews instruments that mental health clinicians commonly use to assess psychological symptoms, personality traits, behavioral problems, and psycholegal issues relevant to the assessment and management of criminal offenders. The instruments reviewed encompass a variety of formats, including self-report inventories, clinician rating scales, and structured clinical interviews that assess the presence of mental disorders
Forensic assessment is a part of the broader category of psychological assessment. The purpose of forensic assessment is distinct from that of traditional therapeutic assessment, and as such forensic evaluators have different training and practice guidelines. The settings in which forensic evaluations occur are vast, including law enforcement, correctional, and civil and criminal court settings.
Psychopathy is a term that has been around for a long time, but it is only in the last 30 years that it has become a topic of so much interest in forensic psychology. In fact, one could argue that psychopathy is the focus of more current research in psychology than is almost any other
Diplomates in forensic psychology are dually certified by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) and its parent organization, the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), as experts in applying the science and profession of psychology to U.S. law and the U.S. legal system. The certification process consists of four distinct phases: initial application, written
The timing of forensic training raises a fundamental training issue. As previously noted, forensic training can occur predoctorally, during internship, postdoctorally, through continuing education programs, through on-the-job training, or through self-directed reading. All may be perfectly appropriate for providing forensic psychological expertise, but we have no data to know what kind of impact these training