standards for competency
1. Mental Health Laws in Child Custody Determination
Based on the mental health laws New York State discuss two aspects of the laws pertaining to child custody evaluations and describe how each would affect the work product of a forensic psychologist asked to conduct an evaluation relevant to those laws. Be sure to give the legal citation for each law. Start with an Internet keyword search for “revised code child custody” and the name of your state or province to find the applicable statutes.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
2. State and Federal Laws on Competency to Stand Trial
Locate New York state and federal laws that address competency to stand trial. Summarize the state of New York standards for competency to stand trial, particularly the provisions for restoration of competency.
Summarize at the two cases below regarding competency to stand trial.
· Estelle v. Smith, 451 U.S. 454 (1981).
· Cooper v. Oklahoma, 517 U.S. 348 (1996).
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
3. Summaries of Articles
Find two scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past five years related to competency to stand trial evaluations. At least one article must be related to psychological tests used in competency to stand trial evaluations. Summarize the findings of the articles and discuss the impact the findings could have on the work of a forensic psychologist performing this type of evaluation.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
4. Competency to Stand Trial and Cognitive Impairment
Develop an outline for a competency to stand trial evaluation based on cognitive impairments such as dementia or intellectual disabilities. As cognitive deficits are not by themselves reason to be deemed incompetent, what other factors must the forensic psychologist consider? Justify your choice of two assessments you would use in this evaluation, one of which must be an assessment for malingering of cognitive impairments.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
5. Competency to Stand Trial and Psychopathology
Develop an outline for a competency to stand trial evaluation based on psychopathology, such as schizophrenia. As psychological conditions are not by themselves reason to be deemed incompetent, what other factors must the forensic psychologist consider? Justify your choice of two assessments you would use in this evaluation, one of which must be for the assessment of malingered psychosis.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
6. Malingering Instruments
Through a review of scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past eight years, develop a list of commonly used instruments that could be used to identify the malingering of cognitive deficits, as well as ones that could be used to identify malingering of psychosis. Make sure you note the population for which the instrument is appropriate (such as adults or adolescents).
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
7. Mitigation of Penalty Evaluation
Read the case study below that address mitigating circumstances in murder cases. Design a methodology for conducting this type of evaluation, including psychological testing.
CASE STUDY: Robert Allen is a 16-year-old male. He confessed to the murder of his stepfather, who he reports was abusive to him, his mother, and his sister for many years.
On the day of the murder, Robert claims that his father had violently and grossly abused his mother. Robert’s attorney claims that Mr. Allen informed his son that as soon as he turned 17, he would have to leave the house. Thus, Robert killed his stepfather.
Note: Refer to pages 634–647 in the Melton text for an example of a mitigation of penalty evaluation.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
8. Substance Abuse in Mitigation of Penalty Evaluations
Discuss the issue of substance abuse as a factor in homicide. Review the literature regarding this issue and summarize of at least two scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as at least one case law related to committing murder while intoxicated.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
9. Structured Professional Judgment
Through a review of scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past eight years, develop a list of structured professional judgment instruments that could be used to identify the risk of sexual re-offense and violence recidivism. Make sure you note the population for which the instrument is appropriate (adults versus adolescents, men versus women).
Then explain the strengths and limitations of structured professional judgment instruments.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
10. Actuarial Instruments
Through a review of scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past eight years, develop a list of actuarial instruments that could be used to identify the risk of sexual re-offense and violence recidivism. Make sure you note the population for which the instrument is appropriate (adults versus adolescents, men versus women).
Then explain the strengths and limitations of actuarial instruments.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
11. Structured Professional Judgment
Through a review of scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past eight years, develop a list of structured professional judgment instruments that could be used to identify the risk of sexual re-offense and violence recidivism. Make sure you note the population for which the instrument is appropriate (adults versus adolescents, men versus women).
Then explain the strengths and limitations of structured professional judgment instruments.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
12. Actuarial Instruments
Through a review of scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles published within the past eight years, develop a list of actuarial instruments that could be used to identify the risk of sexual re-offense and violence recidivism. Make sure you note the population for which the instrument is appropriate (adults versus adolescents, men versus women).
Then explain the strengths and limitations of actuarial instruments.
Words: At least 300 hundred words
References: Include scholarly peer reviewed references
13. Case Study
Review the case study below that address risk assessment. Develop a methodology to assess the probability of recidivism.
CASE STUDY
JULIE BROCTON SEXUALLY ABUSED HER 12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. SHE HAS SPENT FOUR YEARS IN JAIL, AND HER ATTORNEY CLAIMS THAT SHE HAS BEEN REHABILITATED AND IS NOT A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
THE DAUGHTER HAS FORGIVEN HER MOTHER AND WANTS HER MOTHER RELEASED FROM PRISON. THE JUDGE HAS APPOINTED YOU TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION TO DETERMINE THE OFFENDER’S POTENTIAL FOR REPEAT SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR.
Words: At least 300 hundred words