Forensic e-mental health: Review, research priorities, and policy directions.

Abstract

Forensic e-mental health is an area of psychology that is relatively underdeveloped considering technological advancements and the many mental health needs of justice-involved individuals. It includes the procurement, storage, sharing, and provision of forensic mental health information and services via electronic means and is associated with improved accessibility, efficiency, cost-savings, and safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinics, hospitals, jails, prisons, and the courts rapidly adopted these modalities for service continuity out of necessity, rather than choice. In the absence of formal guidelines, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers were left searching for answers: what forensic e-mental health technologies are available, what was their research evidence, and what could the future hold? A "primer" covering the many aspects of technology-assisted forensic practice and research was overdue. To address this knowledge gap, we reviewed the e-mental health research base encompassing forensic evaluations and interventions. Considering stakeholders' needs, cost, and feasibility, we prioritized key topics that should rise to the top of the forensic e-mental health research agenda: the psychometric properties of forensic e-mental health assessments, impact of video recording evaluations, how to assess and treat diverse populations, restoration of competence to proceed, continuum of care, minimizing treatment attrition, and decreasing substance use. We report how to plan for and overcome logistical hurdles when implementing forensic e-mental health policy, utilize technology for training and education, and harness digitized data across the forensic realm. In conclusion, we find that there is ample opportunity for leveraging technology to improve forensic mental health practice, research, and policy.

Remote Forensic Psychological Assessment in Civil Cases: Considerations for Experts Assessing Harms from Early Life Abuse

“…Doing so could create a more complete examination record and allow the evaluator to review the interview and further observe behaviors that might have been missed in the moment. Although recording could confer some benefits, Kois et al (2020) highlight that videorecording could impact evaluation dynamics and performance and could also raise concerns over confidentiality.…”

“…As Young (2020) points out, though, general guidelines do not adequately consider issues specific to forensic evaluations. Although at the time of writing, this document has yet to become available, Kois et al (2020) note that the American Psychology-Law Society has developed a taskforce to develop and disseminate more specific guidelines related to remote assessment for those who are practicing in the forensic field.…”

“…A body of literature suggests that remote psychological assessment could prove advantageous when people cannot attend an in-person assessment due to economic, geographical, and other logistical reasons (Kois et al, 2020;OPA/CAPDA, 2020;Wright, 2020). Research suggests that remote assessment could be suitable across referral types and demographics, for example, neuropsychological evaluations of the elderly (Castanho et al, 2016;Harrell et al, 2014), and psychoeducational testing with children (Wright, 2018(Wright, , 2020.…”

“…This is assessed by establishing whether the theory or technique employed by the expert is generally accepted in the scientific community; whether it has been subjected to peer review and publication; whether it can be and has been tested; and whether the known or potential rate of error is acceptable (Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. & 509 U.S.579., 1993). The research on using remote assessment in the forensic realm is in its nascence (Kois et al, 2020). With respect to the growing use of remote forensic mental health assessment during the pandemic, Drogin (2020) cautions, "Currently, attorneys and the mental health witnesses they retain are doing whatever they can to maintain services during a time of unprecedented confusion.…”

The Use of Videoconferencing in Forensic Evaluations: Moving Forward in Times of COVID-19

“…As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues, commentaries have emerged regarding the use of videoconferencing in forensic mental health (e.g., Drogin, 2020;Kois et al, 2020). However, few studies to date have examined the utility of conducting forensic evaluations, such as the assessment of competency to stand trial and/or criminal responsibility, using telehealth platforms (e.g., Manguno-Mire et al, 2007).…”