Attached.

OVERCOMING CROSS-CULTURAL

ISSUES IN FORENSIC ASSESSMENT

Name
Institution

INTRODUCTION
❖

Forensic assessment involves the evaluation of a person’s previous, current

and future mental status (Acklin & Fuger, 2016)
❖

Outcomes of this examination serve as major inputs in the administration of
justice.

❖

Over 60,000 forensic evaluations are conducted annually in the United
States.

❖

40% of inmates of correctional facilities are from ethnic minority groups.

❖

Studies have shown that forensic reports for cases involving this category of

the population are mostly biased due to several factors

ROLE OF FORENSIC ASSESSMENT IN THE
LEGAL SYSTEM
❖

Law Enforcement: Screening of applicants for positions at the various
agencies, personnel promotion, and fitness-for-duty evaluation.

❖

Correctional Settings: Assessment of present and future criminal
behaviors, violent recidivism, and inmate’s progress towards

rehabilitation.
❖

Civil and Criminal Proceedings: Divorce, child custody, malpractices
cases, personal injury claims, ability to waive Miranda rights,
competency to stand trial and be sentenced, insanity defense
assessments, and capacity to waive counsel and plead guilty.

EVALUATION TOOLS FOR THE FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGIST
These three broad categories are based on evidence-based
frameworks and psychometrics
❖

Non-Forensic Instruments.

❖

Clinical Evaluation Tools.

❖

Forensic Assessment Instruments.

These instruments are available as commercial based products

that have been scientifically t...