Forensic Assessment

Forensic psychologists may do assessments for either the prosecution or defense. Once an assessment has been completed, a written report is commonly used to communicate the forensic psychologist’s conclusion. It may include items like potential origins of the behaviors (both biological and environmental, speaking to the classic nature versus nurture argument in psychology), current manifestations of the behavior and potential diagnosis, assessment approach, and other ethical or demographic considerations related to the case. In Assessment 3, you will continue reviewing the case you explored in Assessment 2 and apply your knowledge and skills related to assessment and ethics to provide a final report.

NOTE: This assessment builds on Assessment 2. It’s recommended that you complete Assessment 2 before Assessment 3.

Preparation

• Review the case study you chose (Derek or Meredith) from the media piece.
• Review the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for:
• Depressive disorders.
• Bipolar and related disorders.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
• In the Capella library, locate three peer-reviewed journal articles:
• At least one article on the mental health disorder.
• At least one article on the assessment you chose.

Instructions

Write and submit a 57 page report summarizing Derek’s or Meredith’s diagnosis and its influence on their behavior.

In your paper, include the following:

• State the disorder Derek or Meredith show signs of having.
• Reference the DSM-5-TR when you do this, and specifically state how they meet the diagnostic criteria for that disorder.
• This discussion should be approximately one page.
• Describe the mental health assessment you chose. Discuss the assessments validity and reliability.
• Be sure to demonstrate how this assessment is appropriate for your case study.
• This discussion should be approximately one page.
• Discuss the possible biological, developmental, behavioral, situational, and protective factors that may explain or cause the behaviors in the case study.
• This discussion should be approximately one to two pages.
• Discuss ethical considerations related to assessing this client and provide examples.
• This discussion should be approximately one page.
• Review the crime as described in and describe how the disorder influenced the commission of the crime.
• This discussion should be approximately one to two pages.

Use the for your paper. Be sure you review the Case Study: Final Report scoring guide to ensure that you have met all the criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to the APA style and formatting standards.
• References: At least six referencesyour textbook, APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the DSM-5-TR, and three peer-reviewed journal articles. Note: You can use sources you found for Assessment 2.
• Length of paper: 57 typed, double-spaced pages of content, in addition to the title page and references page.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Interpret behavior based on biological, social, and psychological factors.
• Apply DSM-5-TR criteria to a case study.
• Interpret behavior based on biological, behavioral, situational, developmental, and protective factors.
• Develop an explanation of the relationship between the mental health disorder and the crime.
• Competency 2: Apply reliability and validity and generalizability to research findings and assessments.
• Apply reliability, validity, and generalizability to a chosen assessment.
• Competency 3: Apply psychological ethical principles to forensic psychology.
• Apply ethical principles to an assessment in forensic psychology.
• Competency 4: Apply information literacy skills to problems in forensic psychology.
• Apply evidence from peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
• Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
• Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.