diagnosing criminal defendants

Prior to beginning this journal, read the article, “Are Forensic Experts Biased by the Side that Retained Them?,” and examine the subjective nature of forensic psychology concerning the evaluation of criminal defendants. In a one- to two-page journal entry:

• Evaluate the influences that can contribute to differential diagnoses depending upon which side hires the psychologist to evaluate a criminal defendant.
  • Determine how to minimize cognitive bias.

As you reflect on the article for your journal, analyze the ethical considerations of

• Diagnosing a defendant.
• Diagnosing the legal implications of a negative diagnosis.

Based on your assigned readings, including this article, do you believe that such assessments as the PCL-R Checklist can provide accurate predictions of an individual’s behavior? Cite examples from your readings that support your analysis.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your journal entry.