ABSTRACT
Assessment is the cornerstone of forensic psychology and psychiatry. The forensic mental health evaluation must address complex psycho-legal questions in both the criminal and civil arenas. Moreover, forensic assessment procedures are subject to scrutiny, and, in some cases, their use is discredited over psychometrics, administration concerns, and standards of practice. At times, a diagnosis of a personality disorder (PD) becomes an important legal matter. Yet, the field of PD is increasingly viewing personality pathology from a dimensional, rather than the traditional categorical, perspective. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) promulgates the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) as another approach to PD diagnosis. This model is supported by research and clinical tradition, and it relies on the eminently arguable superior scientific basis of dimensional diagnosis of PD. The AMPD thus provides distinct advantages in the forensic setting. We review these issues, note conceptual and legal precedent for its use, and present a complex forensic assessment case to highlight the strengths of the AMPD. Specific assessment instruments are available for the AMPD, and the model may be used with common personality and forensic measures. We argue the AMPD meets standards of practice for forensic assessment.
