Personal Injury Litigation
In Child Maltreatment, Child Custody, and Parental Fitness
Tori M. Kelly BS, CJ
Argosy University, Chicago
Abstract:
Forensic assessment of personal injury litigation in cases of child abuse, custody, and parental fitness is critical in ascertaining the scope and validity of any consequent mental, emotional, and/or behavioral illnesses. To that end, this discussion will examine the role of the independent medical examiner, specific psycholegal issues to be addressed by requesting parties, utilized evaluation tools, circumstances for, key elements in, and limitations of the written assessment reports.
Personal Injury Litigation in Child Maltreatment, Child Custody, and Parental …show more content…
Because injuries are time sensitive, any delay in the physical evaluation will likely result in ambiguous findings, thus compromising the validity of the report. Forensic psychologists are retained by attorneys to conduct parental fitness evaluations in order for the judge to determine permanency planning for victims of abuse and/or neglect. The initial assessment requested by the protective agency must determine the degree of psychological injury or harm to the child. It is also necessary to evaluate parental capacity, in order to determine the best interest of the child in regards to either foster care placement, or reunification. Evaluation outcomes, assimilated with emotional, social, cognitive, developmental, verbal, educational, and medical functioning, are essential in ascertaining integrity of reports to be submitted to the court (Melton et al., …show more content…
It should also include assessment of parental deficits. Intelligence evaluations would be indicated if there are allegations of limited intellectual parenting. This will render an accurate and comprehensive interpretation of the parent’s limitation which could potentially compromise the safety and future developmental growth of the child. To this end, it is also essential to assess any evidence of substance abuse employing testing scales of general personality such as the MMPI-2 or alcohol and drug screening tests (Melton et al.,
In Child Maltreatment, Child Custody, and Parental Fitness
Tori M. Kelly BS, CJ
Argosy University, Chicago
Abstract:
Forensic assessment of personal injury litigation in cases of child abuse, custody, and parental fitness is critical in ascertaining the scope and validity of any consequent mental, emotional, and/or behavioral illnesses. To that end, this discussion will examine the role of the independent medical examiner, specific psycholegal issues to be addressed by requesting parties, utilized evaluation tools, circumstances for, key elements in, and limitations of the written assessment reports.
Personal Injury Litigation in Child Maltreatment, Child Custody, and Parental …show more content…
Because injuries are time sensitive, any delay in the physical evaluation will likely result in ambiguous findings, thus compromising the validity of the report. Forensic psychologists are retained by attorneys to conduct parental fitness evaluations in order for the judge to determine permanency planning for victims of abuse and/or neglect. The initial assessment requested by the protective agency must determine the degree of psychological injury or harm to the child. It is also necessary to evaluate parental capacity, in order to determine the best interest of the child in regards to either foster care placement, or reunification. Evaluation outcomes, assimilated with emotional, social, cognitive, developmental, verbal, educational, and medical functioning, are essential in ascertaining integrity of reports to be submitted to the court (Melton et al., …show more content…
It should also include assessment of parental deficits. Intelligence evaluations would be indicated if there are allegations of limited intellectual parenting. This will render an accurate and comprehensive interpretation of the parent’s limitation which could potentially compromise the safety and future developmental growth of the child. To this end, it is also essential to assess any evidence of substance abuse employing testing scales of general personality such as the MMPI-2 or alcohol and drug screening tests (Melton et al.,