15 Hours / 15 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Evaluation of Mental State at the Time of the Offense (Insanity/Criminal Responsibility) is presented by Ira Packer, PhD, ABPP. This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards Criminal Forensic Assessment Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

This program provides a comprehensive overview of evaluations of criminal responsibility (insanity; mental state at the time of the offense). Best practices are described, and the empirical basis for evaluation in this area is highlighted. Participants are given an overview of the legal standards and context for criminal responsibility evaluations are presented. The empirical research on criminal responsibility and insanity acquittees are presented, and best practices in preparing for these evaluations are emphasized. Finally, data collection and the importance of third-party and corroborating data are discussed.

Additionally, the evaluation process, including the interview and relevant testing, are discussed with a focus on case formulation. Case conceptualization, data integration, formulation, report writing, and expert testimony regarding insanity and criminal responsibility are discussed.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe best practices and the empirical basis for mental state at the time of the offense evaluations
  • 2 Describe the legal standards for criminal responsibility
  • 3 Describe the context for criminal responsibility
  • 4 Describe the empirical research on criminal responsibility and insanity
  • 5 Describe the evaluation process for criminal responsibility
  • 6 Describe how to formulate an opinion regarding a defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense and their criminal responsibility
  • 7 Describe best practices in interviewing a defendant regarding mental state at the time of the offense
  • 8 Describe relevant testing that can be used in the evaluation of mental state at the time of the offense
  • 9 Describe how to integrate data in formulating an opinion regarding mental state at the time of the offense and criminal responsibility

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for psychologists, psychiatrists, and other licensed mental health professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of criminal responsibility evaluations. It is ideal for those specializing in forensic populations, focusing on assessing insanity, evaluating mental state at the time of the offense, and providing expert opinions in legal contexts. Participants will gain knowledge and skills in conducting forensic interviews, administering psychological testing, and delivering expert testimony.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Psychologists (forensic, clinical)
    • Psychiatrists (forensic, general with legal assessment roles)
    • Licensed mental health professionals (e.g., social workers, counselors) working in forensic or legal contexts
    • Professionals providing expert opinions or testimony in court cases
    • Mental Health Professionals

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with criminal responsibility (insanity) evaluations.

    • Beginner: Participants new to criminal responsibility evaluations who seek foundational knowledge of legal standards, empirical research, and best practices in this area.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic mental health who wish to deepen their understanding of data integration, case formulation, and report writing for criminal responsibility evaluations.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic evaluations who aim to refine their expertise in complex case conceptualization, advanced data integration, and expert testimony regarding insanity and criminal responsibility.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals use these skills in legally interfacing, high-stakes clinical environments where security protocols, evidentiary standards, and court timelines shape practice. Work emphasizes structured forensic interviewing, psychological testing, comprehensive record review with third‑party corroboration, and integration of data into empirically grounded reports and testimony in collaboration with legal stakeholders.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • State forensic hospitals and secure psychiatric units
    • Correctional facilities (jails, prisons)
    • Court-based forensic evaluation clinics and pretrial services units
    • Community mental health centers with forensic programs
    • Private practice/independent consultation for court-ordered evaluations
    • Academic medical centers or university-affiliated forensic programs
Presented By

Ira Packer, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Ira K. Packer, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, directs the highly respected UMMS Postdoctoral Residency Program in Forensic Psychology, and directs the Forensic Evaluation Service at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital. He also is the Director of the Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts. Dr. Packer previously served (1993-1996) as the Assistant Commissioner for Forensic Mental Health in Massachusetts. He has been a practicing forensic psychologist for over 35 years, with a particular focus on evaluations of criminal responsibility, competence to stand trial, and violence risk assessment.

Dr. Packer has served in a number of leadership capacities affecting Forensic Psychology nationally. He was a member of the examination faculty for the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) and has previously served as National Chair of Examinations, Vice-President, and President of ABFP. He has also served as Vice-President and President of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP). Dr. Packer chaired the Forensic Specialty Council that developed the Education and Training Guidelines for Forensic Psychology (which enables, for the first time, accreditation by APA of Postdoctoral Residencies in Forensic Psychology). He has also served as Vice President (2007) and President (2008-2009) of the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology. In 2007, Dr. Packer was presented with the Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychology Award by the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

Dr. Packer received his B.A from Columbia University in 1974 and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. He has provided numerous workshops and presentations nationally, including topics such as Criminal Responsibility, Violence Risk Assessment, and Expert Witness testimony. He has numerous publications including two books: Packer, I.K. (2009). Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; Packer, I.K. and Grisso, T. (2011). Specialty Competencies in Forensic Psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
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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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.