Perceptions and use of videoconferencing in forensic mental health assessments: A survey of evaluators and legal personnel

Batastini, Ashley B.; Pike, Madison; Thoen, Megan A.; Jones, Ashley C. T.; Davis, Riley M.; Escalera, Esteisy

doi:10.1080/1068316x.2019.1708355

Cited by 19 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…An important line of research would be to examine the attitudes of judges, attorneys, and juries regarding the use of videoconferencing in forensic evaluations, as preliminary research suggests legal professionals express a preference for in-person evaluations, as opposed to evaluations conducted over telehealth platforms (Batastini et al, 2019). Given judges and attorneys routinely request forensic evaluations (e.g., competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility) and challenge these evaluations in court, gaining a greater understanding of what legal professionals consider potential issues with videoconferencing would be beneficial to the forensic evaluator.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The average length of the interviews was 71.80 minutes (SD = 28.70), and in 16 cases, the evaluators experienced issues with audio (e.g., experiencing a delay). Batastini et al (2019) examined forensic practitioners' perceptions of using telehealth (N = 156); 54 participants reported past use of telehealth technology to conduct forensic evaluations. Most of these evaluators indicated they used a telehealth platform to assess violence risk (27%), followed by competency evaluations (25.9%).…”

Section: Telehealth Research In Forensic Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The need to remotely monitor an examinee who is taking the assessments in another location could therefore affect the revenue of the examiner. Attorneys may also have logistical concerns regarding conducting forensic evaluations using telehealth platforms (e.g., privacy concerns), and some preliminary evidence suggests attorneys prefer in-person evaluations, as opposed to evaluations conducted over telehealth platforms (Batastini et al, 2019).…”

Section: Logisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mulay

Gottfried

Mullis

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that leads to the disease COVID-19, has resulted in significant challenges for the medical and psychiatric communities. Much like other clinicians during this global pandemic, forensic evaluators have been faced with the difficult task of continuing their clinical work, while helping to maintain the safety of their examinees, support staff, correctional personnel, and themselves. As such, the implementation of telehealth appears to be a viable alternative to in-person evaluations, but questions regarding the fidelity of these forensic evaluations remain at the forefront. The goal of this paper is to examine data relevant to conducting forensic evaluations using telehealth platforms. We offer both pros and cons of using telehealth videoconferencing to conduct forensic evaluations, so that the forensic evaluator may make an informed decision regarding whether they plan to utilize this technology. Additionally, we discuss considerations for training in the delivery of telehealth services. This paper concludes with a discussion of areas for future research, such as the examination of modifications practitioners have made to their practice and the reliability of forensic opinions conducted over telehealth. We end by suggesting telehealth is the path forward for forensic evaluation, regardless of public health status.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Telehealth Research In Forensic Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Logisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mulay

Gottfried

Mullis

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice

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“…Studies on remote technology used in the criminal justice system have also yielded promising results (Batastini et al, 2020;Luxton & Lexcen, 2018;Luxton et al, 2019). In their 2016 meta-analysis, Batastini et al found that telepsychology outcomes, including the assessment of mental health symptoms, therapeutic processes, program engagement, program performance, and service satisfaction were largely comparable to in-person services for criminal justice and substance-abusing defendants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there is a constant evolution in terms of technology and research, in this challenging moment in history when public health measures are curtailing the capacity to meet evaluees in person, experts must carefully consider whether they should proceed remotely with high-stakes forensic psychological assessments. Batastini et al (2020) sought to explore how remote forensic mental health assessments were perceived by forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and legal professionals. Though quite small in scale, this study could be useful in considering Daubert criteria in terms of this methodology's acceptance within a relevant scientific community (Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. & 509 U.S.579., 1993).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Goldenson

Josefowitz

2021

Psychol. Inj. and Law

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the question of whether psycho-legal assessments can be executed remotely in a manner that adheres to the rigorous standards applied during in-person assessments. General guidelines have evolved, but to date, there are no explicit directives about whether and how to proceed. This paper reviews professional, ethical, and legal challenges that experts should consider before conducting such an evaluation remotely. Although the discussion is more widely applicable, remote forensic psychological assessment of adults alleging childhood abuse is used as an example throughout, due to the complexity of these cases, the ethical dilemmas they can present, and the need to carefully assess non-verbal trauma-related symptoms. The use of videoconferencing technology is considered in terms of potential benefits of this medium, as well as challenges this method could pose to aspects of interviewing and psychometric testing. The global pandemic is also considered with respect to its effects on functioning and mental health and the confounding impact such a crisis has on assessing the relationship between childhood abuse and current psychological functioning. Finally, for those evaluators who want to engage in remote assessment, practice considerations are discussed.

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Seeing is believing? A systematic review of credibility perceptions of live and remote video‐mediated communication in legal settings

Given‐Wilson

Memon

2022

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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There has been a dramatic increase in use of remote communication via audio‐visual technology since the COVID‐19 pandemic. This includes use in complex legal hearings where decisions rely heavily on credibility assessments of an individual and their interview statement. This is particularly relevant in legal settings where negative assessments can have adverse outcomes such as asylum applications which can result in deportation. Increasing use of remote communication technology raises the question of what research can tell us about how someone is perceived when interviewed live (in‐person) compared with via video‐mediation. A systematic review of the literature resulted in the selection of nine papers. Four themes were identified; decision‐maker's assumptions, frame of the camera, demeanour and detecting truth and lies. The results are discussed within the context of credibility judgements in asylum proceedings together with implications for further research and practice.

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Perceptions and use of videoconferencing in forensic mental health assessments: A survey of evaluators and legal personnel

Cited by 19 publications

References 27 publications

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

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

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

Seeing is believing? A systematic review of credibility perceptions of live and remote video‐mediated communication in legal settings

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