This book is part of a series, Best Practices in Forensic Mental Health Assessment, edited by Thomas Grisso, Alan M. Goldstein, and Kirk Heilbrun. Each of 19 volumes is dedicated to a specific topic in forensic mental health assessment, and an additional book covers the topic in general.
Written by three psychologists, this volume first provides a foundation that includes basic concepts of law and forensic mental health and then goes on to discuss how these concepts can be applied in actual forensic practice. The authors discuss preparing for the evaluation, collecting data, interpreting the data, writing the report, and providing testimony. It has a good set of references, although many of them are 10 or more years old. At the end of the book is a list of various tests recommended for this type of assessment. Many of these were not created to be used in child placement conflicts. Further, some of them, such as Bricklin's Parent Awareness Skills Survey or the Parent Perception of Child Profile, may not pass a Frye or Daubert assessment and are rarely used by psychiatrists. However, the listing and associated references provide the background for understanding how and why these tests were developed.
The authors effectively categorize the necessary steps for understanding the background and concepts of these evaluations. A listing of some court decisions reflects societal conflicts and judges' attempts at bringing order to what could become a complicated case, reflecting a chaotic family situation. Again, although the listing includes some current American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law landmark cases, most are 15 years old or older.
This compendium would have been more current if it included a CD or recommended some up-to-date websites. Instead, it lacks coverage of important topics in today's world, such as homosexual parenting, blended families, and grandparents' rights. The last is especially important, because grandparents often care for children, on a temporary or permanent basis, when parents are found to be abusive, neglectful, or both.
This book provides a good introduction to forensic evaluations for newcomers and students. It is small enough to be a good companion when actually performing an assessment. Other books in the series are devoted to criminal, civil, juvenile, and family cases.
For experienced forensic psychiatrists or psychologists, however, there is not much new in this particular volume of the series.
Footnotes
Disclosures of financial or other potential conflicts of interest: None.
- © 2014 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
