Neuropsychology in the Courtroom
Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony
Edited by Robert L. Heilbronner
Hardcover
Hardcover
orderJanuary 8, 2008
ISBN 9781593856342
Price: $65.00 273 Pages
Size: 6" x 9"
This volume brings together leading neuropsychologists to shed light on the nuts and bolts of forensic practice. An array of adult and child cases are presented, involving such conditions as traumatic brain injury, multiple chemical sensitivity, cerebral anoxia, and electrical injury. Contributors show how they go about reviewing reports and depositions in a particular case, providing fine-grained analysis of the opinions and conclusions of the examiner. Issues addressed in detail include the selection of tests, appropriate use of normative samples, and errors in scoring and interpretation. Unique in providing multiple perspectives on each case, the book identifies common clinical and professional pitfalls and how to avoid them.
“Anyone reading Neuropsychology in the Courtroom: Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony will have an opportunity to receive professional advice from a variety of expert neuropsychologists....All authors in this book are experts in their respective areas. A unique advantage to this book is the inclusion of actual expert testimony....Failure to avail oneself of information available from books such as Neuropsychology in the Courtroom: Expert Analysis of Reports and Testimony could lead to diminished capacity in professional service delivery and increase potential risk for both the patient and the provider. The jury is in, and a verdict has been rendered: This book is a 'must read' for every forensic neuropsychologist.”
—PsycCRITIQUES
“Utilizes extensive case history descriptions to flesh out the various chapter topics, which include traumatic brain injury, multiple chemical sensitivity, electrical brain injury, anoxic brain injury, chronic pain, and pediatric neuropsychology cases. A useful section painstakingly analyzes a mild traumatic brain injury case from the triple perspective of the treating clinician, plaintiff's expert, and defense expert.”
—International Journal of Emergency Mental Health
“This book has much to offer clinically and pedagogically to forensic practitioners.”
—Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
“Provides unique and enlightening information that would be invaluable to any neuropsychologist who regularly engages in forensic work.”
—Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
“This book will make a unique and useful addition to the libraries of neuropsychological practitioners at all stages....The book presents both content and process. The chapters present functional knowledge through lessons that are directly applicable to forensic and clinical work. Important clinical and empirical material is dispersed throughout the chapters as readers are taught how to conceptualize and best present that information in the legal arena. The elucidation of the functional application of the material presented is one of the distinctive aspects of this work and one of the reasons it will be a good aid for practitioners....The writing was clear and the chapters easy to read and understand. The chapters were generally engaging and entertaining while also being informative and useful....An overarching theme was for practitioners to be competent and stay close to the science of our field to avoid looking ridiculous. This book should aid practitioners in that quest and I highly recommend it.”
—Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
“With contributions from seasoned practitioners, this book provides valuable insights into the challenges of forensic neuropsychology. The book’s special value is as a guide to the judgments required and issues faced in taking on forensic cases. Covering topics rarely if ever discussed in other sources, chapters illustrate how practitioners prepare for expert testimony, weigh the factors involved in assessments of alleged brain insults, and respond to the opinions of other examiners. The book reveals the complexities of practice and offers practical advice, making it a useful supplement to coursework or practicum placements as well as a resource for self-study. By emphasizing responsible practice and evidence-based judgments, Heilbronner promotes sound clinical decision making and advances professional standards.”
—H. Gerry Taylor, PhD, ABPP-CN, Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University
“A natural follow-up and companion to Heilbronner's Forensic Neuropsychology Casebook, this book offers additional concrete, practical information for trainees and clinicians who wish to learn more about the practice of forensic neuropsychology. The well-known contributors present instructive, thoughtful case material in an easy-to-navigate format and a readable style. The content is germane to practicing neuropsychologists, as is the theme of forensic case analysis from the perspectives of opposing retained experts.”
—Jerry J. Sweet, PhD, ABPP-CN, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and Northwestern University
“This book provides a unique and revealing look into the minds of some of the most respected experts in forensic neuropsychology. Each chapter includes behind-the-scenes views of the expert's thoughts and reactions when faced with alternative interpretations of neuropsychological test data. I know of no other book that provides the reader with comparable insight into how neuropsychologists analyze the work of others, particularly when they may hold an opposing view. This book will be particularly valuable to those beginning to work in the forensic arena. It will also serve as a reference for more experienced clinicians, particularly when developing a 'plan of attack' in situations where they are faced with the scenarios depicted in the various chapters.”
—William B. Barr, PhD, ABPP, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine
Table of Contents
I. Case Analyses
1. Traumatic Brain Injury: Do You See What I See?, Jacobus Donders
2. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Sensitive Matter in Neuropsychological Assessment, Michael McCrea
3. Cents and Scentability: A Disability Claim Due to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Howard Oakes
4. Noncredible Competence: How to Handle "Newbies," "Wannabes," and Forensic "Experts" Who Know Better or Should Know Better, Joel E. Morgan
5. Maturation into Impairment: The Merit of Delayed Settlement in Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology Cases, Ida Sue Baron
6. Electrical Brain Injury and a Case of Examiner Shock, Shane S. Bush
7. A Second Look at Pain and Concussion, Kevin W. Greve
II. Forensic Case Analysis from Opposing Perspectives
8. Mild Head Injury Case from a Treating Neuropsychologist
9. Plaintiff Expert’s Analysis of the Case, Wilfred G. van Gorp
10. Defense Expert’s Analysis of the Case, Wiley Mittenberg
III. Special Topics
11. Anoxic Brain Injury: Daubert Challenge, Fixed versus Flexible Battery, Erin D. Bigler
12. A Pediatric Neuropsychologist's Lessons from "Independent Educational Evaluations": Respect Parents, Listen to Teachers, Do Your Homework, but Think for Yourself, Karen Wills
13. Through the Looking Glass: Commentary on Neuropsychological Testimony, David S. Bush
14. Generating Questions for Cross-Examining a Neuropsychologist: A Defense Consultant's Perspective, Robert L. Heilbronner
15. Misdiagnosis of Cognitive Impairment in Forensic Neuropsychology, Grant L. Iverson, Brian L. Brooks, and James A. Holdnack
About the Editor
Robert L. Heilbronner, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist practicing in Chicago. He is the Director of the Chicago Neuropsychology Group. Dr. Heilbronner has faculty appointments at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and the University of Chicago Hospitals, Pritzker School of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology of the American Psychological Association and of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and is an elected member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. Dr. Heilbronner has published articles and book chapters, and has presented on clinical and forensic neuropsychology issues at national and international meetings. He has also testified in a number of civil, criminal, and capital cases locally and nationally.Contributors
Ida Sue Baron, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia; private practice, Potomac, Maryland, and Reston, VirginiaErin D. Bigler, PhD, Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; Department of Psychiatry and the Brain Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Brian L. Brooks, PhD, British Columbia Mental Health and Addiction Services, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
David S. Bush, PhD, private practice, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Shane S. Bush, PhD, Long Island Neuropsychology, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Jacobus Donders, PhD, Psychology Service, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Kevin W. Greve, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
Robert L. Heilbronner, PhD, Chicago Neuropsychology Group, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
James A. Holdnack, PhD, Harcourt Assessment, Inc., Bear, Delaware
Grant L. Iverson, PhD, British Columbia Mental Health and Addiction Services and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Michael McCrea, PhD, Neuroscience Center, Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Wiley Mittenberg, PhD, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Joel E. Morgan, PhD, private practice, Madison, New Jersey
Howard Oakes, PsyD, Department of Psychology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut
Wilfred G. van Gorp, PhD, Neuropsychological Assessment Service, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York
Karen Wills, PhD, Psychological Services, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota