NCJ Number
94087
Date Published
1984
Length
280 pages
Annotation
Designed to bridge the gap between psychology and the law, this book examines the basic tenets of the mental health profession and the requirements of forensic work.
Abstract
Legal professionals will find this volume helpful in planning cases involving psycholegal issues, developing a working knowledge of psychological tests and treatment approaches, evaluating the qualifications of expert witnesses, and conducting more incisive examinations of these witnesses. For mental health professionals, the book demystifies courtroom practices, procedures, and ethics; clarifies commonly encountered legal issues; and assesses personal qualifications for functioning competently in the forensic area. Following an introduction to the history of forensic psychology, chapters discuss background and common usage of psychological testing; the clinical interview; psychological intervention, including descriptions in layman's terms of the various types of therapies; psychological theories and their technical terms; the psychologist as expert witness; and direct and cross-examination of the expert witness. References are provided with each chapter. A name index and a subject index are included. (Author summary modified)