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What is Forensic Neuropsychology?

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Neuropsychological Evaluations in the Legal Forum

Neuropsychological assessment involves the comprehensive evaluation of cognitive abilities, including general intelligence, academic achievement, attention, memory, language, visuospatial and constructional skills, sensory and motor skills, and executive functioning. Assessment of effort and motivation, personality and emotional functioning are integral parts of every evaluation.

Some of the conditions assessed by our Neuropsychology Service include cognitive impairment in:

  • Degenerative Diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, Multiple System Atrophy, Prion Diseases)
  • Cerebrovascular Diseases
  • Demyelinating Diseases (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Electrical Injury
  • Epilepsy, Seizure Disorder, Nonepileptic Seizures
  • Brain Tumors
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Cognitive Impairment Secondary to Medical Illness (e.g., HIV, Lupus, Thyroid Diseases, Paraneoplastic Syndromes)
  • Attention Deficit Disorders
  • Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disorders
  • Chronic Substance Abuse
  • Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia, Major Depression)

Forensic Neuropsychological Assessment

Because its primary clinicians are neuropsychologists, the Isaac Ray Forensic Group is uniquely positioned to contribute to the assessment of individuals who are currently involved in criminal adjudication or civil legal matters. Individuals may have neurologic conditions or other cognitive impairments that can impact judgment, understanding, and insight into behavior, as well as functional capacities. Any of these impairments may be relevant to issues in litigation. Forensic questions addressed by the Neuropsychology Service include cognitive impairments in the context of:

  • Waiver of Miranda Rights
  • Competency in Criminal Matters (e.g., to plead, to stand trial)
  • Competency in Civil Matters (e.g., to execute or change a will or medical directives)
  • Criminal Responsibility (e.g. insanity, diminished capacity, guilty but mentally ill)
  • Capital and Noncapital Mitigating Factors and Post Trial Treatment Recommendations
  • Malingering and Deception