Forensic Neuropsychology in Practice: A Guide to Assessment and Legal Processes

ABOUT THIS BOOK

• A practical reference source for clinical and forensic psychologists who need to understand how neuropsychological problems can impinge on issues such as criminal responsibility, antisocial behaviour, and guilt
• Includes state of the art chapters written by leading practitioners, covering topics such as aggression, violence, homicide, alcohol and drug use, and developmental disorders
• Makes the field of forensic neuropsychology accessible to clinical psychologists and psychiatrists now frequently required to contribute to legal matters

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are increasingly being asked to prepare reports for legal purposes. These might involve issues regarding the clients own mental state at the time they committed the crime, or it might involve the neuropsychological effects of an injury to a third party. In addition they might be looking at issues regarding impulsivity, and the role of underlying disorders such as ADHD, and antisocial or borderline personality disorders. These topics are typically the preserve of the field of forensic neuropsychology, yet for many, this discipline is seen as a highly specialised one beyond the scope and skill of the clinical psychologist.

This book fills a major gap in the literature, in providing a practical reference text for clinical and forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who are working in these important areas of forensic consultancy, and who need a working knowledge of neuropsychological assessment and legal processes. Topics include: aggression and violence, learning disability and developmental disorders - such as autism and ADHD, eplilepsy, amnesia, alcohol and substance misuse, and traumatic head injury. In addition, the book looks at expert testimony, malingering, and other ethical and professional issues. It will help practitioners deal with the clinical and neuropsychological problems in the field, and negotiate the legal labyrinths involved in issues such as competency, fitness to plead and stand trial, mental capacity and mitigation.

With chapters written by leading practitioners and clinicians that provide a synthesis of key knowledge and best practice in their areas, this thought provoking and pragmatic guide will be essential for clinical and forensic neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers.

Readership: Clinical and forensic psychologists; psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists; lawyers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1: Susan Young, Gisli Gudjonsson & Michael Kopelman: Introduction
2: Jessica Bramham & Seamus O'Ceallaigh: The neuropsychology of aggression and violence
3: Glynis Murphy & Isabel Clare: Intellectual disability
4: Susan Young: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
5: Isabel Clare & Marc Woodbury-Smith: Autistic spectrum conditions
6: Natalie Pyszora, Eli Jaldow & Michael Kopelman: Amnesia
7: Jonathan Bird, Margaret Newson & Krystyna Dembny: Epilepsy and automatism
8: Helen Miles & Andrew Johns: Alcohol and drug abuse
9: Rodger Wood: Traumatic brain injury
10: Graham Powell: The role of the expert witness and acquired brain injury
11: Gisli Gudjonsson & Susan Young: Sub-optimal effort and malingering
12: Jacqueline Wheatcroft, Gisli Gudjonsson & Susan Young: Professional issues
13: Michael Kopelman, Susan Young & Gisli Gudjonsson: Conclusion; themes and issues

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Edited by Susan Young, Department of Forensic Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK, Michael Kopelman, Academic Department of Psychiatry, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK, and Gisli Gudjonsson, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

Contributors:
Jonathan Bird, Dept of Neuropsychiatry, The Burden Centre, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK
Jessica Bramham, University College Dublin, School of Psychology, Dublin, Ireland
Isabel Clare, University of Cambridge, Dept of Psychiatry, Cambridge, UK
Krystyna Dembny, Dept of Neuropsychiatry, The Burden Centre, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK
Gisli Gudjonsson, Dept of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
Eli Jaldow, Neuropsychiatry and Memory Disorders Clinic, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK
Andrew Johns, Denis Hill Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
Michael Kopelman, Division of Psychological Medicine, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK
Helen Miles, Denis Hill Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK
Glynis Murphy, University of Lancaster, Institute of Health Research, Lancaster, UK
Margaret Newson, Dept of Neuropsychiatry, The Burden Centre, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK
Seamus O'Ceallaigh, University College Dublin, School of Psychology, Dublin, Ireland
Graham Powell, Chartered Psychologist, London, UK
Natalie Pyszora, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, UK
Jacqueline Wheatcroft, Psychology & Social Change Dept, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
Rodger Wood, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, University of Wales Swansea, UK
Marc Woodbury-Smith, University of Cambridge, Dept of Psychiatry, Cambridge, UK
Susan Young, Dept of Forensic Mental Health Science, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK