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 mental health professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of criminal responsibility evaluations, with a focus on assessing insanity and mental state at the time of the offense. It is ideal for those who conduct forensic interviews, psychological testing, and provide expert opinions or testimony in legal contexts, equipping participants with best practices and essential skills for work with forensic populations.

    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Licensed Mental Health Professional (e.g., social worker, counselor)
    • Mental Health Professional

  • 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 with limited experience in forensic assessment, seeking foundational knowledge of legal standards, empirical research, and best practices.
    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic or criminal responsibility evaluations, aiming to deepen their understanding of data integration, case formulation, and report writing.
    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic mental health, looking to refine their expertise in complex case conceptualization, expert testimony, and application of empirical evidence to best practices.

  • Practice Setting

    Mental health professionals who conduct criminal responsibility (insanity) evaluations typically work in forensic settings where clinical expertise intersects with the legal system. These environments require practitioners to assess individuals involved in the criminal justice process, often under court order, and to provide expert opinions regarding mental state at the time of the offense. The work is highly specialized, involving collaboration with attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals, and often includes preparing detailed reports and providing testimony in court. Practitioners may work independently or as part of multidisciplinary teams, and settings can range from secure facilities to outpatient clinics.

    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals or secure inpatient units
    • State or county forensic evaluation centers
    • Correctional facilities (jails or prisons)
    • Private forensic mental health practices
    • Court clinics or court-affiliated mental health services
    • Community mental health centers with forensic programs
    • Academic medical centers or university-based forensic programs

Presented By

Ira K. Packer, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Ira K. Packer, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Best practices

  • Empirical evidence

  • Legal standards

  • Evaluation process

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.
View Certificates

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.