lundi 28 juillet 2014

Forensic Neuropsychologist In Los Angeles Does Testing For Criminal Court Cases

By Miranda Sweeney


The forensic neuropsychologist is educated to the doctoral level. He or she is then licensed as a practicing psychologist. The task of testing alleged criminals is not the only work performed. The forensic neuropsychologist in Los Angeles may also see patients in private practice in addition to serving as a witness in court.

An individual is licensed to practice psychology before performing this type of testing. There is additional training at the formal graduate level for one who wishes to be board certified. Board certification indicates qualifications that are of the highest level in that field.

The job this profession performs is to evaluate litigants who are facing criminal or civil court trials. Testing methods are specific and extensive. The reporting that results from testing involves whether the individual is malingering or trying to elude conviction in some devious manner.

This offshoot of clinical neuropsychology works to provide information relevant to a legal trial or appeal. A litigant may be judged unfit for trial or legally insane in some cases. The testing is based on that used to validate whether a patient is brain impaired for medical evaluation.

It is intended to show whether someone is afflicted with brain abnormalities. The same principles are applied to show whether someone is malingering or trying to pretend insanity to avoid prison time. If insane the criminal is sent to a hospital for the criminally insane instead.

The psychologist who elects to work in this profession is going to be interested in the law. The subjects of the tests are alleged to have committed hideous crimes. Murder, kidnapping, child abduction and home invasions are some of the crimes. Often the litigant will be charged in a death penalty case.

Test results are intended to assist attorneys and judges in dealing with a crime case. In the case of an appeal to a higher court, the litigant has already been convicted and is serving time in prison. The appeal is made to overturn the conviction for one of a variety of reasons.

Evaluating criminals and possibly testifying in court is a source of higher income for any psychologist. There are specific things that should be part of the testing. A few of these are reviewing social adjustment and ability to maintain employment.

The litigant may have a psychological disorder such as borderline personality disorder. It may cause him or her to lean toward violent behavior. It is not an excuse since legal insanity is strictly defined.

The testing process is extensive. It can take two or three days to complete. The phases of these tests include cognitive ability, perception, motor coordination and attention span encompassing visual and auditory facets.

Signs of an emotional disorder will emerge if one exists. Nonverbal understanding and language skill are noted. The individual may have a learning disability, which is never an excuse for committing violent acts.

A report is completed and presented to the attorney. When it is time for the trial, a forensic neuropsychologist may be hired to serve as a courtroom witness. The individual being tried is often violent and charged with kidnapping, rape or murder. It is crucial to keep such a person off the streets so no more victims can be hurt.




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