Criminal Responsibility
A forensic criminal responsibility assessment evaluates an individual's mental state at the time of an alleged offense to determine legal responsibility, combining clinical interviews, collateral information, psychological testing, and review of medical and criminal records; the goal is to clarify whether psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairments, or developmental disorders impaired the person’s capacity to understand the nature and wrongfulness of their acts or to conform their behavior to the law, and the process yields a forensic opinion that addresses competence to stand trial, sanity/insanity criteria, malingering, risk factors, and treatment needs, all communicated in a clear, legally relevant report that helps courts and counsel make informed decisions while maintaining ethical standards and safeguarding the examinee’s rights.
Forensic/Court Services
Competency to Stand
A competency to stand trial assessment evaluates whether a defendant currently has the mental capacity to understand the nature and purpose of the legal proceedings and can consult with counsel with a reasonable degree of rational and factual understanding; the examiner reviews cognitive functioning, psychiatric symptoms, understanding of courtroom roles and procedures, and the ability to communicate with an attorney, often using structured interviews, standardized instruments, collateral information, and behavioral observations to form a clear, legally framed opinion about fitness to proceed, any need for restoration treatment, and recommendations for accommodations or further evaluation.
Guardianship Evaluation
Guardianship evaluations are person-centered assessments by qualified professionals to determine if someone lacks the cognitive, emotional, or functional capacity to make safe decisions about care, medical treatment, finances, or living. They use medical records, interviews, observations, standardized tests, and resource reviews. Evaluators assess decision-making, understanding, appreciation of consequences, communication of choices, and daily living skills to recommend the least restrictive, autonomy-promoting option. Reports give findings, diagnoses, evidence-based recommendations (e.g., supported decision-making, limited powers of attorney, or full guardianship), and transition/care plans. Due to serious rights impacts, evaluations stress accuracy, cultural competence, documented alternatives, and legal standards.