Handbook of Forensic Assessment

The first handbook to explore forensic assessment from psychiatric and psychological perspectives

"The editors have assembled a magnificent collaboration between psychiatrists and psychologists to bring forth critical knowledge and insight to the core competency of forensic assessment. This handbook is essential reading and a comprehensive resource for both newly minted and seasoned forensic practitioners."
―Robert I. Simon, MD, Director, Program in Psychiatry and Law, Georgetown University School of Medicine

"This long-awaited resource blows the dust off traditional standards, shakes the cobwebs out of our old ways of thinking, and shows the practical steps in producing work that will make sense to juries and withstand the most skillful cross-examination. . . . [T]here is no better resource."
―Kenneth S. Pope, PhD, ABPP, Diplomate in Clinical Psychology; coauthor, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Fourth Edition

"From preparation to collection to interpretation to communication of the results, this excellent, comprehensive treasure shows how to conduct forensic assessments. Each splendid evidence-based chapter is presented from the collaboration between psychologists and psychiatrists. It is a must-have resource for forensic experts as well as general practitioners or anyone wishing to understand standard of care in forensic assessment."
―Melba Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, 2011 American Psychological Association President

The practitioner-oriented coverage in the Handbook of Forensic Assessment examines:

• The current state of psychology and psychiatry―including requisite clinical competencies, ethical guidelines, and considerations of multidisciplinary collaboration

• Various approaches to assessments in criminal and civil matters

• The principles of effective preparation, data collection, and interpretation, as well as communication for each special situation

• Topics including competence to stand trial, sexual offender evaluations, addictions, child abuse, and education

• Overarching practice issues, such as practice development, retention, compensation, consultation, and forensic treatment

• Includes sample reports that demonstrate the integrative potential of both psychology and psychiatry

Incorporating a wealth of current and multidisciplinary research, the Handbook of Forensic Assessment is destined to become every mental health professional's most valuable one-stop reference for their forensic work.

ERIC Y. DROGIN, JD, PHD, ABPP, is a Diplomate and former President of the American Board of Forensic Psychology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.  He serves on the faculties of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, and teaches courses in law and mental health for the University of New Hampshire School of Law and the University of Wales.  He is the author of several books, chapters, and articles addressing the interface of psychology, psychiatry, and law.

FRANK M. DATTILIO, PHD, ABPP, holds a dual faculty position in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He has published widely and has testified in numerous state and federal jurisdictions for the prosecution and the defense, and has served in numerous court appointments in criminal cases.  He has consulted on cases for the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is a prolific author and international speaker.

ROBERT L. SADOFF, MD, is Clinical Professor of Forensic Psychiatry and serves as Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  He is board certified in psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and legal medicine.  Dr. Sadoff has conducted over 10,000 forensic psychiatric examinations, has lectured throughout the United States and several countries abroad, and is a prolific writer, having authored or coauthored several books including Forensic Psychiatry: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Malpractice: Cases and Comments for Clincians―winner of the 1993 Manfred S. Guttmacher Award―and Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychiatry: Minimizing Harm.

THOMAS G. GUTHEIL, MD, is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and an internationally known lecturer, writer, and consultant on medicolegal issues, risk management, and malpractice prevention.  He is a founder of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Program in Psychiatry and Law, currently serves as the President of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health, and is the author or coauthor of several books in the areas of law and medicine, including the Clinical Hand-book of Psychiatry and the Law―winner of the 1983 Manfred S. Guttmacher Award―now in its Fourth Edition.