Capital Litigation Initiative: Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training

Webinar 9: Forensic Psychology Essentials

Forensic Psychology Essentials contains an overview of forensic psychological science and its legal application. The panelists examine forensic psychology's legal relevance, selecting expert forensic psychologists, and the "dos and don'ts" of forensic psychologist expert testimony. The webinar considers the importance of good reports when utilizing forensic psychology in litigation.

The webinar addresses emerging topics in forensic psychological sciences, specifically related to capital litigation. Cognitive bias and behavior genetics will be discussed. Panelists highlight the differences between the forensic psychologist and the forensic neuropsychologist, as well as the applicable research and theory, which may impact how this evidence is utilized in the courtroom.

Webinar panelists:

• Dr. Daniel A. Martell is one of the most highly qualified forensic neuropsychologists in the United States, with over 20 years of clinical forensic experience in both criminal and civil litigation. Dr. Martell has consulted on hundreds of forensic cases in over 30 states, specializing in issues of mental disorder, brain damage, and violent criminal behavior. He is Board-Certified in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and serves on its Board of Directors. Examples of his experience consulting with both prosecutors and defense attorneys in Criminal Litigation include: assessments of competency to confess or to Waive Miranda Rights or to stand trial, of Criminal Responsibility / Insanity, Neuropsychological Issues in Diminished Capacities / Diminished Actualities and related Mens Rea defenses, of Mental Retardation and Mitigation in Capital Litigation, Litigation Strategy, Deposition Preparation, and Expert Cross-Examination.
• Dr. Randy K. Otto is a professor in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and has a practice that is limited to forensic psychological evaluation. He is board certified in forensic psychology and clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and is licensed to practice psychology in Florida and Hawaii. Dr. Otto's research and writing focuses on forensic psychological assessment. Currently, Dr. Otto serves on the editorial boards of a number of journals, he is Continuing Education Co-Chair of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and he is Executive Director of the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Otto has been nationally recognized for his work and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 41).

Course materials:

• Outline
• Learning Objectives
• Cognitive Bias, Behavior Genetics, and Neurobehavioral Imaging, Daniel A. Martell
• Forensic Psychology Essentials, Randy Otto
• Further Reading List

View the webinar recording.

This webinar is designed for both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Attendees who complete this webinar will be eligible for Continuing Legal Education credits. The Stetson Office of Professional Education will work with each individual participant for reporting specifics. CLE applications will be made to Florida and other states per individual requests. Please email ope@law.stetson.edu for further information and state specific requests.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-CP-BX-K006 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.