Ethics in Forensic Psychological Practice
8 Hours | 8 CEs
This program on Ethics in Forensic Psychological Practice is presented by Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP.
Using a case study approach, this interactive training program reviews ethical challenges/issues commonly encountered by forensic psychologists. In this way it is NOT a workshop on ethics in general psychology practice. Participants are assigned cases on which to work and are encouraged to anchor their judgments and discussions with the group in various sources of professional authority (e.g., ethical principles, practice guidelines).
After introducing an ethical decision-making framework and identifying the various sources of authority that can impose obligations on psychologists when providing forensic services the following challenges are discussed: distinguishing between informed consent, assent, and notification (and when each must be provided and obtained); documenting and communicating findings; issues of multiple roles and relationships, and conflicts of interest; privacy, confidentiality and privilege in the forensic evaluation and treatment contexts; recording of, or third-party presence during, forensic evaluations; release of reports and test data; examination billing and reimbursement practices; editing/altering reports; offering opinions about persons not examined; obligations to take into account issues of diversity in forensic evaluation contexts; use of social media data; and addressing substandard practice by peers.