NCJ Number
32249
Date Published
1976
Length
522 pages
Annotation
THIS OUTLINE OF PROCEDURES FOR EXAMINING A SUSPECTED CRIMINAL USING AN INSANITY DEFENSE, PREPARING PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS, AND PRESENTING EVIDENCE IN COURT IS INTENDED FOR PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, ETC.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR REVIEWS THE ORIGINS OF CRIME, TESTS OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, EVALUATION OF DANGEROUSNESS, SIMULATION OF MENTAL DISORDER, AND OTHER SPECIAL PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW. THE HAZARDS AND PITFALLS OF TESTIMONY IN THE WITNESS STAND ARE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE REGARDING CONDUCT ON CROSS EXAMINATION. HELPFUL ADVICE IS GIVEN ON THE PREPARATION OF THE PSYCHIATRIC REPORT FOR THE COURT. EPILEPSY AND THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE VARIOUS CAUSES OF AMNESIA ARE DISCUSSED. IN THIS THIRD EDITION, NEW CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN ADDED ON HOMICIDE AND ASSAULT, ROBBERY AND KIDNAPPING, BURGLARY AND LARCENY-THEFT, TESTS OF COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL, AND THE URGE TO CONFESS. RECENT TESTS OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY HAVE ALSO BEEN REVIEWED. IN ADDITION, THE CHAPTER ON THE ORIGINS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND THE DISCUSSION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING LARGELY REWRITTEN. BIBLIOGRAPHIES ARE INCLUDED AT THE END OF INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A CASE HISTORY OUTLINE TO AID IN THE SYSTEMATIC SETTING OUT OF INFORMATION FOR PRESENTATION OF TESTIMONY IN COURT AND A COPY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT COURT'S INSTRUCTION TO EXPERT WITNESSES IN CASES INVOLVING THE INSANITY DEFENSE. AN INDEX IS ALSO PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)