Look back at the work you have done so far on your milestones. For each point where you used scientific evidence to validate and support a comment, argument, or decision you made, evaluate it to be sure it meets the criteria for FRE 702
This milestone addresses Part VIII of the final project, as follows:
Analyze the extent to which the information you are providing the court meets FRE 702. In other words, how can the court be sure your testimony is based on sufficient facts or data and is derived from reliable principles or methods?
1
Case Report and Treatment Strategies
Felicia Rzepczynski
Final Project Milestone Three
PSY-626 Psychology in the Courtroom
Professor Vanessa Holtgrave
March 12, 2023
2
Case Report and Treatment Strategies
According to Mr. X’s case report, he struggles with difficulties, including drug usage,
irritability, self-consciousness, neuroticism, aggression, anxiety, anger management, and
emotional instability. If these problems are not appropriately resolved, they can become worse in
the future. It is recommended to do more extensive evaluations to find out how problematic Mr.
X’s inner demons are. I will advise utilizing the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory
(SASSI-3) and the Spouse Risk Assessment guide as the second assessment instrument. Classical
and contemporary psychological theories that support the claims in this report are Behavioral
Theory and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The aforementioned elements of this evaluation tool
comply with the Daubert criteria.
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3) is a good match for this case
because it will allow identifying the risk factors that caused Mr. X to abuse substances and how
he came to assault his wife in 2011 and 2012. The SASSI-3 is a quick and simple screening tool
that enables people who are 18 years of age and older who have a high likelihood of having a
drug addiction issue and gives information to help them choose the best therapy (Pérez & Wish,
2011). The SASSI-3 subscales also provide therapeutically valuable details on a person’s attitude
toward the assessment, defensiveness, emotional distress, capacity for problem-acknowledgment,
and the likelihood of legal issues (Pérez & Wish, 2011). This is useful since Mr. X meets the
majority of the SASSI-3’s requirements. This will make it possible for Mr. X to get the proper
care for his condition and identify the risk factors that contributed to his drug abuse and the
incident with his wife in the past.
The other one is the Spouse Risk Assessment guide (SARA). It usually takes between 60
and 90 minutes to complete the SARA checklist. It may be used to assess how much a person
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threatens his spouse or even his children or, in most situations, to pinpoint the risk factors of the
important predicted incident that really happened (Helmus & Bourgon 2011). Mr. X has a history
of engaging in domestic violence, and if the situation is not resolved, it may happen once again.
Mr. X has to stop attacking his wife. He must first eliminate the dangerous factors that may
motivate him to do so. The Spouse Risk Assessment Guide (SARA) might be used to investigate
this and determine if Mr. X constitutes a danger to his spouse and what risk factors may have
influenced his previous actions.
The anger problems, which are the root of everything, must be addressed. It should be
obligatory for Mr. X to attend a class on anger control. He will learn the fundamental practices in
this session to manage his anger, use different coping mechanisms, and avoid further reports of
domestic violence. Classical and contemporary psychological theories support the claims in this
report as it represents a diagnostic consultation. According to behavioral theory, a person’s
conduct may affect how they connect to and interact with other people. Mr. X has a history of
using family violence in this situation. This demonstrates that he was violent even before
meeting his wife. As a result, his prior actions may have contributed to his current tendency to
assault his wife (Staddon, 2021). The social cognitive theory (SCT) is the second theory that
might be useful for Mr. X. According to SCT, a person’s ideas and beliefs have the power to
influence their conduct (Levine, 2022). The Spouse Risk Assessment Guide (SARA) might be
used to investigate this and determine if Mr. X constitutes a danger to his spouse and what risk
factors may have influenced his previous actions. The dynamic connection between Mr. X, his
behavior, and the settings that might enhance his well-being will be highlighted by this theory.
While evaluating Mr. X, steps may be taken to verify and cross-check facts, such as
taking thorough notes and gathering information from several sources, such as SARA and
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SASSI-3. The offered evaluation will also explain why using it is pertinent to the case and how
they are likely to effectively evaluate Mr. X’s conduct and mental capacity. A thorough
examination of Mr. X’s mental perspective may also be accomplished using behavioral and
social cognitive theories. This information is crucial for any prospective legal actions and will
assist in guaranteeing the authenticity and integrity of the evaluation report.
5
References
Helmus, L. & Bourgon, B. (2011). Taking Stock of 15 Years of Research on the Spousal Assault
Risk Assessment Guide (SARA): A Critical Review, International Journal of Forensic
Mental Health, 10:1, 64-75, DOI: 10.1080/14999013.2010.551709
Levine, M. (2022). A cognitive theory of learning: Research on hypothesis testing. Taylor &
Francis.
Pérez, D. M., & Wish, E. D. (2011). Gender Differences in the Validity of the Substance Abuse
Subtle Screening Inventory—3 (SASSI-3) With a Criminal Justice
Population. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative
Criminology, 55(3), 476–491. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X10362662
Staddon, J. (2021). Theoretical behaviorism. Contemporary Behaviorisms in Debate, 79-95.
Final Project Milestone One
1
Case Scenario
Final Project Milestone One
PSY-626 Psychology in the Courtroom
Professor Vanessa Holtgrave
February 12, 2023
Final Project Milestone One
2
Case Scenario
Proposal of a brief code of ethics that I will be bound to while working
One common application of psychological testing in the legal system is the determination
of whether an individual is fit to stand a trial or not. From my selected case scenario, Mr X was
brought to the mental health facility for the purpose of evaluation for parole eligibility by the
state courts. On assessment, he was convicted of assaulting his wife, Susan, in 2011 and 2012
and had past reports of engaging in family violence. A less common application of the testing is
the determination of whether an individual pleads not guilty for insanity and also mental capacity
(Pozzulo et al.,2021). Besides that, the psychological testing in most legal systems is usually
conducted to determine custody for various contended cases in the legal court of law.
The code of ethics ensures that all healthcare practitioners perform their jobs to the best
of their ability while respecting the clients’ rights as they collect the necessary information.
Ethical standards will enable them to set the bar high for quality services and push us to
recognize and respect their rights throughout the care continuum. One of the critical ethical
standards I will be bound to is confidentiality; the retrieved information should only be disclosed
when permission is granted. Confidentiality precepts include assurance, consent seeking, and
also record-keeping; once they have been adhered to, privacy will be guaranteed (Grace &
Uveges,2022). Second code of ethics is beneficence, the act of doing good to the patients; I will
utilize the most effective tool based on his needs to prevent posing more harm to him. A good
example is when the doctor prescribes a certain medication to the patient after assessing their
risk of allergies and also possible drug interactions.
Proposal of appropriate risk assessments that are based on the Daubert Standard
Final Project Milestone One
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The most significant benefit of utilizing risk assessment tools in forensic assessment is
that human judgment biases can be removed from the decision-making process, resulting in a
higher perceived utility in most clinical platforms. According to Meloy and Hoffmann (2021),
one of the significant drawbacks of using them is the instability of estimated recidivism rates
when used in various jurisdictions. From the selected case, Mr X was involved in multiple issues,
including substance abuse, domestic violence, and assault with her wife in 2011 and 2012. I will
recommend using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory(SASSI-3). This assessment
tool typically identifies individuals at a higher risk of abusing drugs. Its validity is believed to be
elevated with a high probability of providing comprehensive information about the individual’s
development and indulgence in it. The second assessment tool is the Spouse Risk Assessment
guide(SARA); it is a checklist that generally takes about 60 to 90 minutes to be completed. It can
be used to determine the degree to which an individual poses a threat to his spouse or even
children or, in most cases, identify the risk factors of the crucial predictive incidence that
transpired.
How do the classic and contemporary psychology theories support my choice of risk
assessments?
The psychological theories of crime state that criminal behavior tends to occur due to a
variation in the thinking and mental capacity of the clients. The existing assumption of the
existence of failures in one’s psychological development suggests that some individuals get into
trouble since they did not develop or grow the way the others do, which can be exacerbated by
too much abuse of illicit substances. The behavioral theory by John Watson suggests that
behavior emerges with how one was raised or interacted with others in the early phase of life.
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory(SASSI-3) fits this case well as it will enable
Final Project Milestone One
4
me to determine the risk factors that led to Mr. X abusing substances and how he ended up
assaulting his wife back then in 2011 and 2012.
Final Project Milestone One
5
References
Grace, P. J., & Uveges, M. K. (2022). Nursing ethics and professional responsibility in advanced
practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Meloy, J. R., & Hoffmann, J. (Eds.). (2021). International handbook of threat assessment.
Oxford University Press.
Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A. (2021). Forensic psychology. Psychology Press.
1
Milestone 6: Case Scenario
Felicia Rzepczynski
PSY-622 Assessment for Forensic Psychology
Professor Hutton
January 8, 2023
2
Violence Risk Assessment (Case Scenario 6)
Daubert
The Daubert standard is a legal standard used to determine the admissibility of expert
testimony, which includes psychological and psychiatric evidence. In order to pass the Daubert
standard, it must demonstrate a valid scientific method, reliable methods, and a known or
potential error rate. The data collected in this case study meets the Daubert standard because it
involves multiple sources of data, such as interviews, collateral information, and assessment
tools that have been developed using valid and reliable methods. The case study also includes an
assessment of the individual’s past behavior and risk factors, which can help to determine the
known or potential error rate. .
Interview Information
The interview information contained in the case study provides important insights into
the individual’s current situation and behavior. This information can be used to assess the risk of
violence and to develop a risk management plan. Research has shown that risk factors such as
past violent behavior, mental illness, substance abuse, and access to weapons can increase the
risk of future violence (Mulvey et al., 2003; Webster et al., 2017). The interview information can
also help to identify potential triggers for violence, which can be managed through strategies
such as crisis management and safety planning (Mulvey et al., 2003; Webster et al., 2017).
Collateral information
The collateral information contained in the case study provides additional insight into the
individual’s current situation and behavior. This information can also be used to assess the risk of
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violence and to develop a risk management plan. Collateral information can include information
from family members, friends, employers, and other sources, which can help to identify potential
risk factors, such as access to weapons, or the presence of mental illness or substance abuse.
Collateral information can also help to identify potential protective factors, such as support from
family and friends or access to appropriate mental health services (Mulvey et al., 2003; Webster
et al., 2017).
Recommendations
The recommendations report should include an assessment of the individual’s risk of
violence and a risk management plan. The risk assessment should include an evaluation of the
individual’s past behavior, current risk factors, and potential triggers for violence. The risk
management plan should include strategies for managing the risk of violence, such as crisis
management and safety planning, as well as recommendations for accessing appropriate mental
health services and support from family and friends (Mulvey et al., 2003; Webster et al., 2017).
The recommendations should also consider the ethical guidelines of a professional psychology
association, such as the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA ethical guidelines
state that psychologists should strive to protect the rights and welfare of individuals, respect the
dignity of all people, and recognize the importance of cultural, individual, and role differences
(American Psychological Association, 2017).
Ethical Guidelines
The recommendations report should align with the ethical guidelines of a professional
psychology association. The APA ethical guidelines state that psychologists should strive to
protect the rights and welfare of individuals, respect the dignity of all people, and recognize the
4
importance of cultural, individual, and role differences (American Psychological Association,
2010). The report should also consider the individual’s autonomy and capacity to make decisions,
as well as the potential for coercion or involuntary treatment (American Psychological
Association, 2017). Additionally, psychologists should strive to provide accurate, up-to-date
information about the individual’s risk of violence and should provide clear explanations and
recommendations regarding the risk management plan (American Psychological Association,
2017).
5
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of
conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017).
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.html
Final Project Milestone Two
1
Psychological Assessment Report
Felicia Rzepczynski
Final Project Milestone Two
PSY-626 Psychology in the Courtroom
Professor Vanessa Holtgrave
March 8th, 2023
Final Project Milestone Two
2
Psychological Assessment Report
Clinical Interview
The semi-structured questions were administered to Mr. X to understand the risk
factors contributing to his behavior. I began the interview by greeting Mr. X and asking him
how he preferred to be addressed. Then I asked Mr. X what brought him to the facility, how
the problem started, and how long it had been. I also asked Mr. X how he and his wife met,
what were their first experiences and if this changed over time. Besides, I inquired about his
concerns about the relationship and what he was most worried about. Other questions include
whether Mr. X feels controlled or isolated by his partner, if anyone close to his wife has ever
threatened or hurt Mr. X, the toughest decision he has made in the past six months, major
mistake and how he corrected it, the last time his wife upset him and what happened next,
the time he was right but had to follow his wife’s directions, a time he had raised the
uncomfortable issue with his wife and how that ended, and relationship goals that he feels he
has achieved failed and those he feels he has failed.
Report
MMPI-2 assesses the personal traits of people suspected of mental illnesses and other
clinical issues. The standard requires patients to answer certain questions on the test in a
specific manner. Some of the components that scales assess include complaints about bodily
function, clinical depression characterized by dissatisfaction in one’s life, poor morale and
lack of hope for the future, and interpersonal sensitivity. SA-45 is a five-level severity scale
measuring the degree of distress from psychiatric symptomatology.
The Daubert standard assesses a person’s past behaviors and risk factors to determine
their potential error rate. In the case scenario, Mr. X was brought to the mental health facility,
where a test showed that he had past reports of engaging in family violence. This suggests
Final Project Milestone Two
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that his past behaviors could have led to his current behaviors of violence and assault on his
spouse.
Through the interview and collateral information, risk factors identified are used to
test the behavior of Mr. X, whereby they outline his past behaviors as a major contribution to
his act of violence and assault. The testing is done through the interview, and collateral
information also shows the presence of mental illness, access to weapons, and substance use
also contribute to such acts. Mr. X could also be experiencing triggers to violence in relation
to his past behaviors, which led to him assaulting his wife in 2011 and 2012.
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3) is vital as the tool helps
test individuals at higher risk of abusing drugs. This tool is essential in the objective testing
data as it can show if his use of abusing drugs brings about Mr. X’s behavior of violence and
assault. The tool is valid; hence the test can be relied upon to make major conclusions on the
relationship between Mr. X’s past behavior and his current behavior of assault.
The second assessment tool, the Spouse Risk Assessment guide (SARA), is also
essential in the objective testing data as it can show how Mr. X relates to his spouse. The tool
can test if any triggers contribute to Mr. X’s assaulting his wife. Since it is a checklist that
takes about 60 to 90 minutes to be completed, the time is enough to make a conclusion of Mr.
X’s relationship with his wife that can contribute to his assaultive behavior.
Classical and contemporary psychological theories support the claims in this report as
it represents a diagnostic consultation. Behavioral theory suggests that an individual’s
behavior can contribute to how they relate and interact with other people. As John Watson
suggests, a person’s behavior can result from upbringing (Staddon, 2021). In this scenario,
Mr. X had past behaviors of engaging in family violence. This shows that he was prone to
Final Project Milestone Two
4
violence even in his early life before meeting his spouse. Therefore, his past behaviors may
be a major contribution to his character of assaulting his wife.
Theories
One of the contemporary theories relating to the claims of this report is the Five
Factor Theory (FFF). According to this theory, Mr. X exhibits a neurotic personality, as
demonstrated by his tendency to experience anger, irritability, anxiety, emotional instability,
and self-consciousness.
Qualifications to Discuss Psychological Assessment
MMPI-2 is administered and interpreted by professionals, preferably psychiatrists
with a doctoral degree and special training in MMPI. Level C assessments also require direct
supervision from qualified psychologists. SA-45 is a classification level B test requiring a
graduate degree and equivalent training focused on psychological testing.
Test and Assessment Selection
MMPI-2 was selected for Mr. X because it has high validity. Notably, the test makes
it difficult for the client to fake responses or deny problems. Besides, MMPI is based on
empirical research, allowing for validation and replication of research findings. However, the
standard demonstrates inconsistent patterns, making it difficult to predict relevant issues.
Similarly, SA-45 has good validity and reliability due to the standardization of symptoms. It
is also appropriate for the client.
Ethical Standards
The key ethical standard followed during the psychological assessment of Mr. X is
informed consent. Mr.X was informed about the purpose of the assessment, the expected
procedures and duration, and the right to participate or decline. Confidentiality was followed
Final Project Milestone Two
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by informing MR. X about how the information will be used and shared. Other ethical
standards followed include competence, selection, use of assessment procedures, provision of
assessment feedback, and consideration of individual differences and contextual factors.
The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3) also identifies the risk
factors contributing to Mr. X’s assaulting his wife. These include access to weapons, drug
abuse, and his past violent behavior. They show how Mr. X can easily practice his past
behaviors as the risk factors are the major contributions of such behaviors. Even if Mr. X has
to change from assaulting his wife, he first needs to avoid the risky factors that can trigger
him to do so. Additionally, cognitive theories such as social cognitive theory (SCT) suggest
that behavior can be shaped by a person’s thoughts and beliefs (Levine, 2022). This could be
explored through the Spouse Risk Assessment Guide (SARA) to assess the degree to which
Mr. X poses a threat to his spouse and the risk factors that may have contributed to his past
behaviors.
Memory can be a source of bias when assessing an individual’s behavior and mental
capacity. Therefore, it is important for me to be aware of the potential limitations of my
memory when conducting an assessment of Mr. X. To protect against the potential bias of
memory, I will utilize measures that can be used to verify and cross-check information, such
as taking detailed notes and collecting data from multiple sources. I will also explain why I
am using the assessments I have selected, how they are relevant to the case, and how they are
likely to assess Mr. X’s behavior and mental capacity accurately. This information is
important for any potential legal proceedings and will help ensure my assessment report’s
accuracy and integrity.
Final Project Milestone Two
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References
Levine, M. (2022). A cognitive theory of learning: Research on hypothesis testing. Taylor &
Francis.
Staddon, J. (2021). Theoretical behaviorism. Contemporary Behaviorisms in Debate, 79-95.
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