Criminal courts, on the other hand, are often the setting for the
most serious outcomes of inadequate or incorrect evaluations, which in certain
cases can be someone’s life. For this reason, criminal courts require the
highest level of proof (beyond a reasonable doubt) of the trier of fact (a
judge or jury). Forensic psychological evaluations are serious matters that can
have serious consequences. In this Discussion, you analyze what happens when
forensic psychological evaluations are done either inadequately or incorrectly.
To prepare for this Discussion:
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·
Review the assigned chapters in
your course text Psychological Evaluations for the Courts. Focus
on the different forensic psychological evaluations applicable to criminal
courts. Reflect on the consequences of an inadequate and/or incorrect
evaluation in this setting.
·
·
Think about real-life examples
(contemporary or historical) in which criminal forensic psychological
evaluations were inadequate and/or incorrect. You may search for examples using
the Internet, library, or other resources.
·
·
Reflect on the consequences of inadequate
evaluations or incorrect use of evaluations.
·
·
Select two real-life examples
to use for this Discussion.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 4 a brief description of the two real-life examples you
selected. Then explain the consequences of inadequate and/or incorrect forensic
psychological evaluations in criminal matters. Finally, use the examples you
selected to illustrate and justify your points. Be specific and reference the
Learning Resources.