A Forensic Neuropsychologist In Los Angeles Tests Litigants Charged With A Crime

By Miranda Sweeney


There is a requisite level of education required to perform the tasks of a forensic neuropsychologist. He or she must be qualified in several fields, including forensic psychology and clinical neuropsychology. The forensic neuropsychologist in Los Angeles must meet the legal standards required in the State of California.

California, like all other states can impose its own licensing requirements. Additional training qualifies one to be board certified. This certification will let people know he or she has attained the highest level of qualifications in the 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.

The intense testing has safeguards against the examiner being tricked. The information provided to the court in preparation for trial has questions posed in various ways to confirm whether the testee is being honest. This is the testing used to assess brain injuries by medical doctors.

The difference is that the methods are applied to testing those persons charged with a crime. Testing should reveal whether the litigant has a brain dysfunction in the neurological or non-neurological sense. The results are presented as a requirement as requested by either the prosecuting or defense attorney.

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.

The testing is done for the purpose of helping the attorneys. In some instances a jury has already found the litigant guilty and he or she is imprisoned. Then an appeal is filed and this is when the forensic neuropsychological exam becomes crucial to the outcome of the appeal.

The evaluator has the potential to earn significant extra income performing the tests and possibly appearing as a witness. The tests cover many facets of the litigants personality. It begins with a review of social adjustment. The ability to remain employed at one job is telling.

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 may be exhausting, often lasting for more than two days. Cognitive ability is evaluated. Other areas of interest are perception, large and small motor skills and coordination. The attention span is checked for visual or auditory acuity.

In addition to those there is a personality assessment and checking for the existence of an emotional disorder. Language, nonverbal skills, learning rate and memory are important components of the assessment. Another two are learning abilities and cognitive flexibility.

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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