Clinical neuropsychology in forensic contexts: Practitioners' experience, training, and practice.

Abstract

Despite tbeir increasing involvement in tbe United States legal system, little is known about neuropsycbological practitioners working in forensic contexts. Neuropsycbologists (N = 59) recruited from tbe American Academy of Clinical Neuropsycbology and tbe National Academy of Neuropsycbology were surveyed about tbeir experience, training, and practice. The majority of participants reported practicing in both civil and criminal forensic contexts (64%), witb a minority restricting their practice to civil cases only (34%); practicing solely within the criminal forensic context was rarely reported (2%). Participants reported conducting forensic assessments across a variety of legal questions, primarily personal injury and civil and criminal competencies. Tbe majority of participants' graduate and postdoctoral training was in neuropsychology, typically supplemented by forensic training tbrougb postgraduate continuing education. Cballenges to admissibility of expert testimony were rare and were more likely to target specific sections of the practitioners' testimony rather than tbeir admissibility as experts overall. Differences in challenges to admissibility based on jurisdiction were found for tbose participants practicing within criminal but not civil forensic contexts (p = .034). Tbougb certain trends are noted, results suggest substantial variability exists among practitioners in tbe field. Implications regarding the experience, training, and practice of neuropsycbological practitioners witbin civil and criminal forensic contexts are discussed, along with broader implications for field leaders as tbey continue to advance the subspecialty of forensic neuropsycbology.

Forensic neuropsychological assessment

“…Forensic neuropsychology is a well‐established sub‐specialty area of clinical neuropsychology, with over half of licensed practitioners doing forensic work (Greiffenstein & Kaufmann, 2018; LaDuke et al., 2012; Sweet, Heilbronner, et al, 2021; Sweet, Klipfel, et al., 2021). Recently, Sweet and colleagues (Sweet et al, 2023) reviewed the history, growth, and current practice of forensic neuropsychology.…”

“…Kaufmann, 2013, p. 739. Training to become a clinical neuropsychologist is extensive -one must complete an additional 2 years of specialized training in functional neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and psychometrics after receiving a doctorate in clinical psychology. (Smith, 2019) Forensic neuropsychology is a well-established sub-specialty area of clinical neuropsychology, with over half of licensed practitioners doing forensic work (Greiffenstein & Kaufmann, 2018;LaDuke et al, 2012;Sweet, Heilbronner, et al, 2021;Sweet, Klipfel, et al, 2021). Recently, Sweet and colleagues (Sweet et al, 2023) Boone, 2012; Bush et al, 2017;Bush & Iverson, 2012;Chafetz, 2015;Demakis, 2012;Denney & Sullivan, 2008;Heilbronner, 2005Heilbronner, , 2008Horton & Harltage, 2010;Larrabee, 2012;Sherman & Brooks, 2012).…”