A Forensic Neuropsychologist In Los Angeles Has An Awesome Responsibility

By Miranda Sweeney


The forensic neuropsychologist is educated to the doctoral level. He or she is then licensed as a practicing psychologist. The task of testing alleged criminals is not the only work performed. The forensic neuropsychologist in Los Angeles may also see patients in private practice in addition to serving as a witness in court.

An individual is licensed to practice psychology before performing this type of testing. There is additional training at the formal graduate level for one who wishes to be board certified. Board certification indicates qualifications that are of the highest level in that 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 only way it is different is the application is to those charged with criminal activity. Brain dysfunction in the neurological or non-neurological sense will be discovered. The results of testing are turned over to the lawyer who requested the evaluation.

A person working in this capacity would have a strong interest in the practice of criminal law. Most of the individuals being evaluated are charged with vicious crimes. Murder, including death penalty cases is one example.

Test results are intended to assist attorneys and judges in dealing with a crime case. In the case of an appeal to a higher court, the litigant has already been convicted and is serving time in prison. The appeal is made to overturn the conviction for one of a variety of reasons.

Evaluating criminals and possibly testifying in court is a source of higher income for any psychologist. There are specific things that should be part of the testing. A few of these are reviewing social adjustment and ability to maintain employment.

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 the presence of an emotional disorder can be verified. If there is a learning disability it may have resulted in impaired judgement. All levels of skills are important.

These are tested and evaluated and a final report is compiled. The forensic neuropsychologist may then appear in court as an expert witness. The litigant is usually being charged with a violent crime such as kidnapping, rape or murder. It is an awesome responsibility to aid in convicting one of these allegedly dangerous individuals. Innocence can be indicated as well.




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