Forensic neuropsychological assessment: clinical case of depression and working incapacity

Abstract

Issues related to mental health in relation to court matters have increasingly required the participation of the psychologist. We present the use of forensic neuropsychological assessment in a case of retirement reversal. Incapacity was attested due to disability resulting from depression of a 35-year-old attorney, and the case was forwarded from the courts to the Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology Unit at the USP Clinical Hospital. A clinical interview and application of cognitive tests was conducted. Despite the depression, significant cognitive losses that would prevent return to his professional assignments were not detected. The neuropsychological assessment has been shown to be an important tool in the forensic context, as it assists with diagnostic value for clarification of functional aspects in the various psychopathological areas in terms of disabilities or potentialities.

Neuropsychological Assessment in The Forensic Context: A Scoping Review

“…The importance of global neuropsychological assessment in the forensic context can also help in the examination of specific situations such as, for example, simulation of symptoms and performance in tests [27][28][29] .…”

Forensic neuropsychological assessment of children victims of violence

“…No cenário clínico, o objetivo da avaliação é determinar a existência ou não de alterações nas funções cognitivas, considerando um plano de reabilitação. A Neuropsicologia Forense deve responder a uma questão jurídica, avaliando se a capacidade de compreensão e autodeterminação daquela pessoa em situação forense, é afetada pela disfunção ou não, e se tal interfere na capacidade de realizar tarefas específicas (Monti et al, 2015). Na avaliação neuropsicológica forense, o solicitante é um terceiro e a comunicação dos resultados ocorrem entre o perito e o solicitante (Serafim et al, 2015).…”