The Use of Therapeutic Assessment with Forensic Populations: Practitioners' Perspectives

Therapeutic Assessment is a semi-structured approach to collaborative assessment developed by Stephen E. Finn and colleagues. In Therapeutic Assessment, psychological assessment is used as a therapeutic intervention (Finn, 2007; Finn & Kamphuis, 2006). The Therapeutic Assessment model differs from traditional assessment with regard to procedure and the roles of both assessor and client. Therapeutic Assessment has yet to be explored in forensic settings, wherein assessors are required to take on a number of varying and conflicting roles. In the current study, five forensic psychologists completed a semi-structured interview to identify their perspectives of Therapeutic Assessment and its utility in forensic contexts. A phenomenological qualitative analysis of the interviews was conducted to derive themes about Therapeutic Assessment, forensic psychology, and the overlap between these two domains. General themes that emerged include (a) the role and the context of the practitioner's work with the forensic population; (b) the potential of using Therapeutic Assessment's paradigm in family law settings; and (c) the increased risk of harm when using Therapeutic Assessment with forensic populations. In addition to these themes, multiple respondents discussed components of collaborative/Therapeutic Assessment that they have found useful with this population. Finally, the implications of these results are discussed.

Intercultural Communication Between Forensic and Clinical Psychologists

While working in clinical and forensic psychology settings, a communication difficulty between the two professions became apparent. Forensic psychologists often appeared cold and callous from the clinical psychologist’s perspective, while clinical psychologists often appeared naïve or too client centered from the forensic psychologist’s perspective. I wondered if viewing each subfield of psychology as a culture could facilitate better communication through intercultural communication. Guided by Intercultural Communication in Contexts (Martin & Nakayama, 2010) in approaching intercultural communication between the two professions, I explored factors contributing to each profession’s cultural identities. Once this was established, I attempted to explore the different ways each culture could communicate more effectively. By recognizing and utilizing the strengths from each profession and understanding the possible pitfalls of one’s own, we may become competent in intercultural communication

Forensic analysis of buildings affected by mining subsidence based on Differential Interferometry (Part III)

This work presents a forensic analysis of buildings affected by mining subsidence, which is based on deformation data obtained by Differential Interferometry (DInSAR). The proposed test site is La Union village (Murcia, SE Spain) where subsidence was triggered in an industrial area due to the collapse of abandoned underground mining labours occurred in 1998. In the first part of this work the study area was introduced, describing the spatial and temporal evolution of ground subsidence, through the elaboration of a cracks map on the buildings located within the affected area. In the second part, the evolution of the most significant cracks found in the most damaged buildings was monitored using biaxial extensometric units and inclinometers. This article describes the work performed in the third part, where DInSAR processing of satellite radar data, available between 1998 and 2008, has permitted to determine the spatial and temporal evolution of the deformation of all the buildings of the study area in a period when no continuous in situ instrumental data is available. Additionally, the comparison of these results with the forensic data gathered in the 2005–2008 period, reveal that there is a coincidence between damaged buildings, buildings where extensometers register significant movements of cracks, and buildings deformation estimated from radar data. As a result, it has been demonstrated that the integration of DInSAR data into forensic analysis methodologies contributes to improve significantly the assessment of the damages of buildings affected by mining subsidence.

Forensic questions, [ca. 1826], undated

Five slips of paper containing handwritten forensics questions beginning "Whether..." One of the documents identifies "Keith and Goodwin," indicating the question was probably performed by Omen Southworth Keith and Hersey Bradford Goodwin of the Harvard Class of 1826. The verso of that document is inscribed: "The Exhibition at the University will take place on Monday at eleven o'clock, AM.

[Forensic dispute on thinking and the soul], undated

One folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten essay responding to an unidentified opponent's claims that "thinking is essential to the soul." The response begins with the introduction, "In the consideration of this question, I shall only examine one or two of the most material objects of our antagonist." The verso is inscribed: "2d Forensic. not read."

[Forensic dispute on the nature of virtue], undated

Two drafts of a handwritten essay on the nature of virtue, beginning with the prompt, "Whether there be any Virtue in doing good to another merely for the sake of benefiting [sic] ourselves." The last verso is inscribed: "4 Forensic. read."

[Forensic dispute on gaming], undated

Folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten essay on gambling beginning with the prompt: "Gaming is an immorality, a sordid vice, the child of avarice, & a direct breach of that commandment, which forbids us to covet what is our neighbours."

[Forensic disputation on divine rewards and punishments], undated

Folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten essay on the distribution of rewards and punishments by God, beginning with the prompt: "Whether the future good (Happiness) of the whole be only Foundation of Merit & Demerit."

[Forensic disputation on thinking], undated

Folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten disputation arguing that "the mind is active in thinking." The essay begins, "Since I am obliged by academical institution to engage in a dispute..."

[Forensic disputation on reasoning], undated

Folio-sized leaf containing a handwritten disputation on reasoning. The disputation begins with the question: "Whether the Faculty of reasoning is improved by a Knowledge of Syllogym?"

Forensic DNA analysis : issues /

"NCJ-128567."

Forensic laboratories : handbook for facility planning, design, construction, and moving /

"NCJ 168106."

The American juror: being a guide for jurymen throughout the United States. Containing rules for testing the credibility of witnesses and weighing and estimating evidence, together with a system of forensic reasoning for jurors.

Mode of access: Internet.

Phonetics of the New High German language.

Mode of access: Internet.