Forensic Versus Clinical Assessments

Forensic Versus Clinical Assessments

Introduction

The primary goal of forensic and clinical assessments is to gain facts regarding the client and the circumstances and issues facing him or her. One assessment is for acquiring psychological information for the legal system and the other is to acquire psychological information to diagnose and provide care for a client. Forensic and clinical assessments are conducted in different atmospheres and environments with one exhibiting a non personal, formal and sometime inviting hostility by the client. The other assessment is client focused working to gain trust and forming a working caring relationship between the client and the psychologist. Regardless of the type of assessment and the goal, both are done by psychologists with the same qualifications and goals only with different objectives.

Similarities and Differences of Forensic and Clinical Assessments

There are similarities and differences between forensic and clinical assessments such as in a clinical assessment the focus is about the client and his or her question regarding a diagnosis strategy for treatment, or to evaluate client's progress (Kalmbach & Lyons, 2006). Regardless of the type of assessment there are usually specific protocols in how the assessment is conducted. The forensic assessment is generally ordered by the court or requested by defense counsel for assistance regarding his or her legal case and the forensic psychologist in the assessment have specific questions that pertain to insanity, competency and mental disorders(Kalmbach & Lyons, 2006). A forensic assessment is not voluntary by the client thus it can often form an adverse relationship instead of a therapeutic one between the client and the psychologist. The forensic assessment has a goal which is to provide answers for legal questions; the assessment may take place in a jail or correctional setting where a clinical assessment would take place in a psychiatrist office (Kalmbach & Lyons, 2006)

The forensic psychologist does not act in a clinical or therapeutic manner he or she is not directed to provide therapeutic feedback or work in a helping role for the client as does the clinical assessment, but to provide factual scientific knowledge regarding the accused to the courts. In a forensic assessment there is no guidance in how the client should answer personal questions presented to him or her as would be the case in clinical assessments. There are more specific time limitations in a forensic assessment than in a clinical because in a clinical assessment the psychologist is acquiring personal information to help in a diagnosis and treatment plan for the client.