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Custody Evaluation

These evaluations are centered around what is best for the child. Most states have adopted minimal standards as to what constitutes an acceptable evaluation. Included in this type of evaluation are interviews with all parties individually and with each other, evaluation of each parent’s relationship with the child, assessment of each parents knowledge of the child and their parenting skills, and interviews with significant people in their child’s life including teachers, babysitters, and tutors. Lawyers representing both sides in dispute must approve the evaluator.

When the evaluation is complete, the forensic evaluator is expected to write a comprehensive report for the judge. Most psychologists prefer to not address the ultimate question, Who should have residential custody, but to describe the strengths are weaknesses of each alternative. In cases where one lawyer is not satisfied with the results of the forensic examiner, he or she may employ a psychologist to examine the validity of the results.

The literature demonstrates that in the vast majority of the cases joint custody is the best disposition for the child. Thus in most cases the forensic evaluator will be recommending a visitation schedule for each parent rather than answering the ultimate question.

Emotional Sequeli of Injuries

Most lawyers have an understanding of the cost of physical injury to the client in terms of future earnings, physical rehabilitation, and medical care. Few understand the costs of psychological trauma. Many clients are overwhelmed by their physical injury and may have difficulty adjusting. This may affect their work productivity or their personal life. Others, particularly those whose lives have been threatened by injury, are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a particularly disabling psychological disability that makes it difficult to function both in the home and work environments. A psychological examination is used to examine the range and extent of difficulties in the functioning and projected costs for remediation. Pain and suffering may also be a legal issue. The psychologist’s expert witness is prepared to report how injuries affect quality of life.

Mitigating Circumstances

The forensic psychologist evaluates the client to assess whether there are any variables that are important in the understanding the client?s degree of culpability in committing a crime.

Garry Melton and his colleagues outline seven influences that may be important in consideration of sentencing. These include chronological use, immaturity, unstable family background, lack of adequate ro