AAFP: Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Death Penalty Cases
Presented by: Maureen Reardon, PhD, ABPP
4 Hours / 4 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on the Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Death Penalty Cases: Practical and Ethical Considerations is presented by Maureen Reardon, PhD, ABPP in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.
This program offers guidance on the practical and ethical considerations most relevant to forensic work in death penalty cases. An overview of key legal concepts is provided to orient participants to the most common referral questions at each stage of the capital litigation process — from pre-trial evaluations of competence through post-sentencing waivers and competence for execution. Issues of racial bias, “environmental coercion,” professional competence/advocacy, and involuntary treatment are discussed as ethical dilemmas to be considered in this specialized area of forensic practice.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Describe the three stages of the capital litigation process for which forensic expert consultation may be relevant
- 2 Describe mitigating factors that involve exclusively psychological phenomena
- 3 Describe cultural diversity issues that may influence capital prosecution and sentencing
- 4 Describe ethical considerations unique to forensic evaluations in death penalty cases
Presented By
Maureen Reardon, PhD, ABPP
Maureen L. Reardon has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). During her tenure with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, she completed numerous forensic evaluations of competency, sanity, and violence risk and for two years, was responsible for the oversight of the institution’s forensic evaluation program. Currently, Dr. Reardon maintains a forensic practice based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is Past President (2019) of the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) and presently serves as examination faculty and co-chair of continuing education for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).
Training Outline
Key topics covered in this training include:
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Guidance on the practical and ethical considerations most relevant to forensic work in death penalty cases
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An overview of key legal concepts is provided to orient participants to the most common referral questions at each stage of the capital litigation process
-
Issues of racial bias, “environmental coercion,” professional competence/advocacy, and involuntary treatment
-
Ethical dilemmas to be considered in this specialized area of forensic practice
We are proud to partner with
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.
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.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
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.