Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Ahead of Print
  • Past Issues
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Print Subscriptions
  • About
    • About the Journal
    • About the Academy
    • Editorial Board
  • Feedback
  • Alerts
  • AAPL

User menu

  • Alerts

Search

  • Advanced search
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
  • AAPL
  • Alerts
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Ahead of Print
  • Past Issues
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Print Subscriptions
  • About
    • About the Journal
    • About the Academy
    • Editorial Board
  • Feedback
  • Alerts
Research ArticleRegular Article

Threats to Objectivity in Risk Assessment for Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

Mary Elizabeth Wood, Sean E. Evans and Jaime L. Anderson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online February 2026, JAAPL.250103-25; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.250103-25
Mary Elizabeth Wood
Dr. Wood is an assistant professor of psychology and Dr. Anderson is an associate professor of psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Dr. Evans is Chief Psychologist, Clinical Operations Division, California Department of State Hospitals, Sacramento, CA.
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Sean E. Evans
Dr. Wood is an assistant professor of psychology and Dr. Anderson is an associate professor of psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Dr. Evans is Chief Psychologist, Clinical Operations Division, California Department of State Hospitals, Sacramento, CA.
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Jaime L. Anderson
Dr. Wood is an assistant professor of psychology and Dr. Anderson is an associate professor of psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Dr. Evans is Chief Psychologist, Clinical Operations Division, California Department of State Hospitals, Sacramento, CA.
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Article Figures & Data

Tables

    • View popup
    Table 1

    Practical Recommendations for Forensic Evaluators

    Systematic Methodological Approach
     Consider each data point individually and systematically
     Categorize data points as evidence for or against each risk factor
     Document risk ratings to aid decision-making (and testimony preparation)
     Postpone forming opinion until all data are collected and reviewed
    Secure Additional Information
     Request detailed description of behaviors labeled as “manipulative”
     Corroborate collateral information early and often, with multiple sources
     Consult with colleagues regarding decision-making and clinical opinions
     Monitor negative countertransference reactions (and potential bias)
    Resolve Inconsistencies Wherever Possible
     Consider “if…then” statements to account for missing or inconsistent data
     Be forthright regarding uncertainty and impact on opinion
     Do not provide opinion without sufficient basis to do so
Previous
Back to top

In this issue

Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 54 (1)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 54, Issue 1
1 Mar 2026
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in recommending The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law site.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Threats to Objectivity in Risk Assessment for Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder
(Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
(Your Name) thought you would like to see this page from the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Citation Tools
Threats to Objectivity in Risk Assessment for Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder
Mary Elizabeth Wood, Sean E. Evans, Jaime L. Anderson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Feb 2026, JAAPL.250103-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250103-25

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero

Share
Threats to Objectivity in Risk Assessment for Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder
Mary Elizabeth Wood, Sean E. Evans, Jaime L. Anderson
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Feb 2026, JAAPL.250103-25; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.250103-25
del.icio.us logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • BPD in Forensic Psychiatric Settings
    • Violence Risk Assessment and BPD
    • Objectivity of Other Parties
    • Solutions and Practical Recommendations
    • Conclusion
    • Footnotes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

Cited By...

More in this TOC Section

  • The Role of Community-Based Supportive Services in Remediating Juvenile Adjudicative Competence
  • Improving Care for Autistic Youth in Correctional Settings
  • A Framework for Mandated Reporting for Substance-Related Parental Abuse and Neglect
Show more Regular Article

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • borderline personality disorder
  • forensic hospital psychiatry
  • forensic reports
  • risk assessment

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Ahead of Print
  • Archive
  • Information for Authors
  • About the Journal
  • Editorial Board
  • Feedback
  • Alerts

Other Resources

  • Academy Website
  • AAPL Meetings
  • AAPL Annual Review Course

Reviewers

  • Peer Reviewers

Other Publications

  • AAPL Practice Guidelines
  • AAPL Newsletter
  • AAPL Ethics Guidelines
  • AAPL Amicus Briefs
  • Landmark Cases

Customer Service

  • Cookie Policy
  • Reprints and Permissions
  • Order Physical Copy

Copyright © 2026 by The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law