4 Hours | 4 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Critical Thinking in Forensic Psychological Evaluation is presented by Terry Kukor, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

Although each type of forensic psychological evaluation addresses a different and specific question, this program focuses on the decision-making process that cuts across all types of forensic evaluations. Reviewed is research examining clinical decision-making and judgment under uncertainty. Specific critical thinking skills and potential threats to objectivity are discussed in the reasoning process necessary for practical interpretation and synthesis of data in forensic practice. Special attention is given to the management of bias in forensic evaluation.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program you will be able to:

  • Describe threats to objectivity in forensic evaluation

  • Describe sources of potential decision-making bias

  • Describe strategies to minimize the influence of bias on the objective consideration of diversity

  • Describe factors (e.g., race, culture, sexual orientation) in forensic evaluation

  • Describe possible remedies to minimize the influence of bias

Presented By

Terry Kukor, PhD, ABPP

Terry Kukor, Ph.D., ABPP, is board-certified in forensic psychology. He is a Senior Forensic Psychologist at Netcare Access in Columbus, Ohio. He holds adjunct positions at Drexel University, Miami University, and The Ohio State University. Dr. Kukor has specialized in criminal forensic evaluation for more than 30 years, during which time he has performed a wide variety of forensic evaluations, including criminal responsibility, competence to stand trial, juvenile competency & waiver, violence risk assessment, and threat assessment. He teaches workshops for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and is a threat assessment consultant for Work Trauma Services Inc. At Netcare, he performs criminal forensic evaluations on court-referred adults and juveniles. He also does fitness for duty evaluations for the Federal Aviation Administration, and consults with a regional office of the FBI. In 2016, he was recognized with the Howard H. Sokolov Forensic Mental Health Leadership Award, presented by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. In 2019, he was granted the Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychology Award by the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

  • Intended Audience

    This self-paced program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals.

  • Experience Level

    This self-paced program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.

  • CE / CPD Credit

    APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.

Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Review Before Proceeding
  • 2

    Introduction

    • Lesson 1 Video

    • Checklist

    • Sanity Evaluation Questions

    • Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis and Schizophrenia

    • Vignettes

    • Lesson Quiz
  • 3

    Critical Thinking

    • Lesson 2 Video

    • Are Forensic Experts Biased by the Side That Retained Them?

    • Influences on Violence Predicition

    • Resources for Reducing Errors

    • Lesson Quiz
  • 4

    Bias

    • Lesson 3 Video

    • Lesson Quiz
  • 5

    Final Thoughts

    • Lesson 4 Video
  • 6

    Additional Resources

    • Video Conference Forensic Evaluation (VCFE) Checklist

    • Limitations and Caveats for Video Conferencing Forensic Evaluations

    • Evaluee Rights Statement

    • Notification Form

    • Amphetamine-Induced Psychosis

    • Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis

    • Differentiating Substance-Induced and Primary Psychotic Disorders

    • Differentiating Substance Abuse from First-Episode Schizophrenia

    • Malingered Auditory Hallucination

    • Intoxication and Settled Insanity—Unsettled Matters

    • A Comparison of Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis and Schizophrenia

    • References

    • Example Excel
  • 7

    Evaluation

    • Instructions

    • Evaluation

    • Submission Verification

Develop a Specialty Area of Practice

Transforming mental health professionals into experts

  • Expert Instructors

    Professional training developed and delivered by the field's leading experts

  • CE Credit

    Earn CE credit for meaningful professional training that will elevate your practice

  • Convenience & Flexibility

    Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!

American Academy of Forensic Psychology

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.
Partner Website

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