4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Case Law Series: Criminal Responsibility is presented by Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP, in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program reviews case law in the area of criminal responsibility and discusses its implications when it comes to completing criminal responsibility evaluations. All of the criminal responsibility landmark cases from the American Board of Forensic Psychology's (ABFP's) Suggested Reading List for Written and Oral Examinations are reviewed. 

In addition, this program reviews relevant case law that was not included in the suggested reading list. This program is useful for individuals who are developing their expertise in criminal responsibility, those who are considering board certification, and those who have advanced knowledge in criminal responsibility evaluations but want a refresher on landmark cases and recent rulings.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the relationship between ethical forensic practice and knowledge of relevant case law
  • 2 Describe 6 United States Supreme Court landmark cases in the area of criminal responsibility and state the holdings in each case
  • 3 Describe 6 lower federal court landmark cases in the area of criminal responsibility and state the holdings in each case
  • 4 Demonstrate the learned case law to the practice of completing criminal responsibility evaluations

  • Intended Audience

    This training program is designed for forensic psychologists who are involved in or interested in criminal responsibility evaluations, whether they are building foundational expertise or are seasoned practitioners seeking to stay current with landmark cases and recent legal developments. The workshop is particularly valuable for those considering board certification or looking to deepen their knowledge in forensic psychology as it relates to criminal responsibility, as well as those seeking a refresher on key legal cases and rulings.

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Mental Health Professional
    • Board Certification Candidate in Forensic Psychology
    • Practitioner specializing in criminal responsibility evaluations

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants new to criminal responsibility evaluations or forensic case law, seeking foundational knowledge of landmark cases and ethical considerations.
    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic mental health or criminal responsibility, aiming to deepen their understanding of case law and its application to evaluations.
    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic evaluations, including those preparing for board certification or seeking a comprehensive review of landmark and recent case law to enhance ethical and effective practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Forensic psychologists and related professionals specializing in criminal responsibility evaluations typically work in environments where legal and mental health systems intersect. These settings require collaboration with attorneys, courts, correctional facilities, and mental health institutions. Practitioners may conduct evaluations in secure forensic hospitals, correctional facilities, private practices, or court clinics, providing expert opinions on defendants’ mental states at the time of alleged offenses. Their work often involves preparing detailed reports, testifying in court, and staying current with evolving legal standards and case law relevant to criminal responsibility.

    • Forensic units within state or federal psychiatric hospitals
    • Correctional facilities (jails or prisons)
    • Court-affiliated forensic evaluation clinics
    • Private forensic psychology practices
    • Academic medical centers with forensic psychiatry/psychology divisions
    • Consulting roles for legal teams or public defender’s offices

Presented By

Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP, Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist

Bob Stinson, Psy.D., J.D., LICDC-CS, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist, an attorney at law, and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor – clinical supervisor. Dr. Stinson is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) and a Diplomate in forensic psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He serves on the faculty of the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). Dr. Stinson is a Past-President of the Central Ohio Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA), and AAFP. He is a long-time member and past-Chair of the OPA Ethics Committee. Dr. Stinson has been an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Dr. Stinson worked for 15 years on a forensic unit of an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where he also served on the hospital’s Ethics Committee for a number of years, chairing it for his last two years. Dr. Stinson served as the Chief of Behavioral Health Services for the Ohio Department of Youth Services for over 3 years. Currently, he in private practice, owning a solo and group forensic psychology practice. He provides training and supervision to students, interns, and post-doctoral fellows. He lectures across the country in the areas of mental health law and ethics. In his law practice, he represents professionals as it relates to licensing board issues and related matters.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Forensic ethics and knowledge of relevant case law

  • Case law

  • Application to forensic evaluations

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.