ABSTRACT
Forensic neuropsychology is the practice of providing neuropsychological evidence and opinions to assist the trier of fact in resolving legal issues (Greiffenstein, 2008; Slobogin, 2003). The assessment of cognitive functioning can be crucial for a wide range of psycholegal questions. Although the majority of neuropsychologists’ forensic involvement in early years revolved around civil litigation, forensic opportunities have expanded to include the criminal arena (see Denney & Sullivan, 2008). According to Borum and Grisso (1995) for instance, 46%–50% of forensic psychologists reported using some form of neuropsychological assessment in pretrial evaluations. Results of a national survey of board-certified neuropsychologists conducted by Mittenberg, Patton, Canyock, and Condit (2002) revealed that 4%, or 1,341, out of 33,531 annual evaluations completed by 131 survey respondents, fell in the criminal forensic domain. This may, in part, be attributable to the growing awareness of the high rates of neuropathology in the criminal population, an increased understanding of brain-behavior relationships and criminal behavior, and a greater appreciation for related psycholegal implications. Neuropsychological assessment can provide information not only relevant to the trier of fact during trial, but also provide useful information for risk assessment and appropriate community or institutional placement of an individual with schizophrenia to potentially minimize either perpetration or victimization.
