Response 1 (Forensic Evaluations Responses)
Your post on ethics in forensic evaluation and competency in research is informative and engaging. However, I want to highlight the impacts of competence on a forensic evaluation. Competency determines the outcomes of forensic evaluations so that competent practitioners can provide reliable, accurate, and comprehensive analyses and conclusions of crimes. Besides, competence guides forensic practitioners into operating within the required standards and regulations.
Vredeveldt et al. (2022) explain that adherence to the operating standards enhances the conclusions’ validity and reduces bias, which may discredit the evaluation results. Furthermore, competence improves forensic practitioners’ ethics and morality. Competent psychologists can accurately distinguish between group characteristics without making unfair or discriminatory perceptions that may negatively affect others (Benuto et al., 2018). For example, they respect gender and gender roles during research to minimize bias and mistreatment of the participants. Thus, reliable, valid, and accurate forensic evaluations require the input of skilled forensic practitioners.
References
Benuto, L. T., Casas, J., & O’Donohue, W. T. (2018). Training culturally competent psychologists: A systematic review of the training outcome literature. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 12(3), 125. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tep0000190
Vredeveldt, A., van Rosmalen, E. A., van Koppen, P. J., Dror, I. E., & Otgaar, H. (2022). Legal psychologists as experts: guidelines for minimizing bias. Psychology, Crime & Law, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2114476
Response 2 (Forensic Evaluations Responses)
This is an excellent post. I want to expand on competence acquisition among forensic psychologists. Since competency is crucial in forensic psychology, psychologists strive to acquire the best skill set and experience to guarantee success. They gain competency in various ways, such as through training and consultation from experienced individuals. Benuto et al. (2018) observe that training in a relevant specialty enhances the psychologists’ provision of services and research performance based on set standards of practice (Forensic Evaluations Responses).
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Additionally, they gain competence by keeping up to date with developments in the specific field of expertise. It assists forensic experts in improving the services they offer. Also, forensic practitioners can gain competence through research. Conducting research enables the forensic practitioner to experience and discover new information on different aspects of forensic psychology (Kopelovich et al., 2020). Therefore, forensic psychologists should continue improving their skill sets and experience levels to ensure the appropriate provision of services within the justice system (Forensic Evaluations Responses).
References
Benuto, L. T., Casas, J., & O’Donohue, W. T. (2018). Training culturally competent psychologists: A systematic review of the training outcome literature. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 12(3), 125. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tep0000190
Kopelovich, S. L., Piel, J., Michaelsen, K., Reynolds, S. E., & Cowley, D. (2020). Forensic psychology postdoctoral training in the United States: How do programs meet national guidelines and standards? Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 14(3), 185. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tep0000268