MMPI–A Forensic Case Studies: Uses in Documented Court Decisions

Abstract

In this article, we describe 8 legal cases reporting the use of the MMPI-A (Butcher et al., 1992) that were identified by an exhaustive search of the Westlaw database. These case studies provide a unique perspective on the uses of the MMPI-A as reflected in documented court decisions. For each case, we first provide a brief discussion of the legal issue or standard of law addressed by the MMPI-A findings. We then provide an abstract of the facts of the case and the nature of the involvement of the MMPI-A. We conclude each case with a more general discussion of the psychological uses and limitations of the MMPI-A as applied to this specific legal issue or standard. Not only do these cases display a wide range of legal issues, but they also provide an excellent opportunity to discuss some important uses and limitations of MMPI-A assessment when used as a component in a forensic evaluation.

A Review of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—Adolescent (MMPI-A) and the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) With an Emphasis on Juvenile Justice Samples

“…Given the methodological rigor of these studies, and the significant effect size results that were obtained, testimony related to these areas could meet admissibility standards under Daubert. Further illustrating this point, the MMPI-A has been used in a variety of documented legal cases to address a range of issues including competency to stand trial, transfer to adult status evaluations, sentencing mitigation factors, and child custody recommendations (O'Connor Pennuto & Archer, 2008).…”

Forensic uses of clinical assessment instruments.

“…Among the few investigations in this latter area is that of Perfect, Tharinger, Keith, and Lyle-Lahroud (2011), who used the MMPI-A in the assessment of a Child Protective Services sample. Pennuto and Archer (2008) conducted research to evaluate the frequency with which the MMPI-A has been noted in documented legal cases. They conducted a comprehensive search for the MMPI-A in the Westlaw database.…”

An Updated Statement for the Clinical Case Applications Section: Suggestions for Clinical and Empirical Case Reports

“…These types of submissions could include descriptions of administration and scoring procedures, techniques specific to a particular type of assessment (e.g., forensic, biopsychosocial, collaborative/therapeutic), and broad techniques applicable to all personality assessment practice, such as conducting an effective initial interview and establishing a therapeutic alliance with clients. JPA has previously published case studies of parent-child interaction assessment (Holigrocki, Crain, Bohr, Young, & Bensman, 2009; Holigrocki & Raches, 2006), the personality assessment of Asberger’s and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (Yalof, 2006), short- and long-term changes on the Rorschach (Silverstein, 2007), personality assessment in healthcare settings (Quirk, Erdberg, Crosier, & Steinfeld, 2007), and forensic case studies of the MMPI-A (Pennuto & Archer, 2008). …”