Expert Witness Services
Expert Witness Services include Consultation and Neuropsychological Evaluation. In Expert Witness cases, the Neuropsychologist is retained as an independent, objective contractor by a third party. These can include:
- The Court – by court order (Competency Evaluation; Intellectual Assessment; Psychiatric/Psychological Evaluation; Insanity at the Time of the Offense; Capacity Assessment in which the Capacity to make Decisions ( typically Medical or Legal) is assessed
- An Insurance company or Worker’s Compensation Carrier (usually for an IME)
- Attorney (Plaintiff or Defense) Mitigation for Sentencing (Downward Departure); Dual Diagnosis Placement; Understanding of Miranda Rights; Assessment of Victim for Developmental Disability (for sentencing of Defendant)
- Other – Occasionally, Developmentally Delayed Individuals are referred to determine their ability to testify, their ability to work with a forensic sketch artist, their understanding of courtroom proceedings, ability to communicate, etc.
An IME is usually requested to determine the presence or absence of neurocogitive and/or psychiatric disorders and to assess their relationship to a specific event, accident, or injury and to assist with treatment planning. An IME may be requested to determine Disability Status.
The Neuropsychologist attempts to answer specific referral questions related to brain-behavior relationships. The Neuropsychologist’s role is to “conduct a proper examination (Ethical Standard 9) and practices only within the bounds of professional competence (Ethical Standard 2), consistent with the American Psychological Association Ethics Code. (American Psychological Association, 2002)
