use of standardized testing

» GBTrancer1aolc - In response to the article on use of clinical assessments only f

In response to the article on use of clinical assessments only for forensic psychology, I must disagree. Currently I am obtaining a Masters of Forensic Science, and have a Masters of Counseling and a Masters of Graphoanalysis(handriting identification) I manage an outpatient programme for offenders and use the domestic violence inventory, the adult subtance use survey, the substance abuse subtle survey an addictions severty index structured interview and the MCMI-lll. I am attempting to develop an actuarial tool to screen for psychopathy, since there is much distortion in what is relayed in the interview by the clientele and we often don't receive all the collateral information necessary to determine accurately the client's needs for mental health, substance abuse and offender treatment. Probation is supposed to supply us with the domestic violence screening instruments and the spousal assault risk assessment along with criminal history for domestic violence. And substance abusers should have a presentence investigation and level of supervision inventory. Oftentimes the referral is from Interventions, a privatized version of Probation, and the information is not always available. Social Service referrals usually have very little information or even police reports with their referrals. Also there is usually no relevant information on childhood/school adjustment. I therefore suggest to my colleague that he may wish to review his assertion for clinical interviews only. There is strong evidence acturial tools are useful in assessment given the interpreter is sufficiently trained. And, from what I have observed in my practice the incidence of psychopathy is approximately 25% of our criminal populations. I would be very reluctant to appear in court and make any assertions about a client's risk for violence potential without a three-way assessment. That is, collateral data compared to clinical data(testing) compared to the responses I recieve from the client. I would like to suggest, also to the previous author that he obtain an understanding of how handwriting is a useful tool for assessments in that it provides a behavioural map.

-- posted by GBTrancer1aolc

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions