1st Edition

Forensic Neuropsychology Fundamentals and Practice

Edited By Jerry J. Sweet Copyright 1999
    556 Pages
    by Taylor & Francis

    In recent years, forensic neuropsychology has become a practice area of explosive growth and interest. This text elucidates the practice of forensic neuropsychology for those who need to understand the scope and limitations of this field. Fifteen chapters by neuropsychology and legal experts organized into four sections (Fundamentals, Practice Expertise, Relevant Populations, and Parameters of the Legal Arena) convey authoritatively a breadth of relevant information and the state-of-the-art of forensic neuropsychology. Topic coverage includes essential psychometrics, evaluation of premorbid function, personality and emotional functioning, complexities of executive functions, variables affecting decision-making, clinical and scientific foundations of the neuropsychological evaluation, differential diagnosis, malingering, ecological validity, mild traumatic brain injury, neurotoxin-related encephalopathy, special pediatric issues.
    Forensic Neuropsychology will be useful for: practicing clinical neuropsychologists and those in advanced training, plaintiff and defense attorneys whose practices include brain injured individuals, and other health care providers in non-psychology disciplines (e.g., psychiatry, neurology) who are providing expert opinions in litigated brain injury cases, and in doing so use and interact with opinions of neuropsychologists.

    Part 1: Essential Psychometrics. S. Berent, C.L. Swartz, Introduction. W. Drew Gouvier, Base Rates and Clinical Decision Making in Neuropsychology. S.H. Putnam, J.H. Rickers, S.R. Ross, J.E. Kurtz, Considering Premorbid Functioning: Beyond Cognition to a Conceptualization of Personality in Postinjury Functioning. Part 2: Practice Expertise. E.J. Rankin, R.L. Adams, The Neuropsychological Evaluation: Clinical and Scientific Foundations. L. Bieliauskas, The Measurement of Personality and Emotional Functioning. T. Kay, Interpreting Apparent Neuropsychological Deficits: What is Really Wrong? D.C. Osmon, Complexities in the Evaluation of Executive Functions. R.J. Sbordone, T.J. Guilmette, Ecological Validity: Prediction of Everyday and Vocational Functioning from Neuropsychological Test Data. J.J. Sweet, Malingering: Differential Diagnosis. J.P. Rosenfeld, J.W. Ellwanger, Cognitive Psychophysiology in Detection of Mailingered Cognitive Defecit. Part 3: Relevant Populations. R.M. Ruff, A.M. Richardson, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. D.E. Hartman, Neuropsychology and the (Neuro) Toxic Tort. R. Lorber, H. Yurk, Special Pediatric Issues: Neuropsychological Applications and Consulations in Schools. Part 4: Parameters of the Forensic Arena. J. Sherrod Taylor, The Legal Environment Pertaining To Clinical Neuropsychology. P.R. Less-Haley, L.J. Cohen, The Neuropsychologist as Expert Witness: Toward Credible Science in the Courtroom. Conclusion. B.P. Rourke, Afterword.

    Biography

    Jerry J. Sweet

    'Without qualification, Forensic Neuropsychology: Fundamentals and Practice is an exceptional text. It offers a scientist practitioner model for integrating relevant clinical neuropsychological knowledge and focused applications of practice methodologies for forensic settings. It defines the objective scientific practice of forensic neuropsychology that should also be the model for clinical neuropsychology more generally. This book should be considered required reading for forensic clinicians and clinical neuropsychologists.' - Michael F. Martelli, Rehabilitation Neuropsychology Concussion Care Centre, Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Tree of Life, Virginia, in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

    'Comprehensive and complete, Sweet's book covers a very complex area with a great depth and insight. It offers an excellent overview of previous research while presenting new ideas and viewpoints relevant to the current environment.' - Paul Satz, Neuropsychiatric Institute, UCLA