A practical hands-on guide to testifying in court on mental health issues, Practical Approaches to Forensic Mental Health offers a vital tool for the novice as well as the most seasoned practitioner.

The book addresses the actual, concrete approaches to ethical and effective testimony that experts need in court.

Rich in multiple examples of courtroom dialogue, direct and cross examination, collaboration with attorneys, and the craft of effective testimony, this text describes the common pitfalls and various traps that experts so frequently encounter and tells you how to avoid them.

Strategies and techniques are clearly illustrated.

Contents

Core Issues Regarding the Function of the Expert Witness

1. Presentation of Psychiatric/Psychological Expert Witness Testimony
2. The Question of Bias for Expert Witnesses
3. Cross Examination and Other Perils

Limits on Expert Function

4. Limits on Testimony
5. Narcissistic Obstacles to Objective Testimony
6. The Problem of Late Withdrawal
7. Paraforensic Issues

Relationships with Attorneys

8. The Attorney-Expert Relationship
9. The Problem of Attorney Coaching
10. Empirical Studies of the Attorney-Expert Relationship

Special Problems for Experts

11. Special Problems for Experts

Index

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ORDER NOW Practical Approaches to Forensic Mental Health by Thomas G. Gutheil 2008 (available now) • 157 pages • $74.95 + shipping Texas residents please add 6.75 % sales tax