Show Notes
Do you want to explore the intersection between psychology and the law? Welcome to the Forensic Psychology Podcast! Each episode will explore the science, practice, and business of forensic psychology through practical conversations you won't find in your graduate training. In this episode, I welcome you to Forensic Psychology 601 and talk about what forensic psychology actually looks like beyond the Hollywood stereotypes. I explain what forensic psychology means, how it differs from clinical work, and why so much of the job involves reviewing records, conducting interviews, integrating information, and applying psychological knowledge to legal questions. I also share what I believe makes a good forensic psychologist. Strong clinical skills are the foundation, from understanding psychopathology and assessment to conducting effective interviews and making sense of conflicting information. From there, forensic psychologists need to understand the legal frameworks relevant to their work. Finally, I preview what's ahead on the podcast, including forensic assessments, the forensic mindset, testimony, writing for court, navigating the challenges of forensic work, and building a successful forensic psychology practice.
More from The Forensic Psychologist Podcast
What is at the heart of a good forensic psychology report? How do you make your reasoning visible and your forensic opinions defensible? What should you do when the data conflicts with your initial conclusions? In this episode, Dr. Casey Mangnall explores how to write clear, defensible forensic psychology reports by making the reasoning behind expert opinions visible. She discusses how to connect data to conclusions, evaluate competing explanations, address inconsistencies in the evidence, and use AI appropriately in forensic report writing.
What actually has to go into a forensic report? In what way does the value of a good forensic report show itself? How do you move from data to inference and the psycholegal question? In this episode, I discuss the fundamentals of effective forensic report writing, including how to move from data to inference and answer the psycholegal question. I explain why a good forensic report prioritises relevance over length, how to structure a report so that the reader immediately understands its purpose, and why it is essential to distinguish assessment findings from professional interpretations. I also share best practices for presenting test results clearly, communicating complex information in plain language, and ensuring that every part of the report serves a meaningful purpose.
What information do you actually need to answer the psycholegal question? How can you tell whether your test is answering the forensic question or just giving you more data? Why should you give every measure in your assessment battery a job to do? In this podcast episode, Dr. Casey Mangnall explains how forensic psychologists can choose assessment measures that actually contribute to answering the psycholegal question. Rather than relying on a universal testing battery or selecting well-known tests simply because they have strong research bases, she encourages evaluators to begin with the specific information they need and work backward from the referral question.
Are you using an assessment instrument for the purpose it was designed to answer? What happens when a test doesn't fully represent the population you're evaluating? How do you prepare your materials to be reviewed in court? In this episode, Dr. Casey Mangnall explores the ethical considerations psychologists need to navigate when conducting forensic evaluations. She explains why assessment instruments must be used for purposes supported by research, and why psychologists need to consider whether a test is valid and reliable for the specific population they are evaluating. Dr. Mangnall also discusses the growing use of computer-assisted reporting and AI tools, emphasizing that psychologists remain responsible for understanding how tests are scored, how results are interpreted, and whether conclusions are actually supported by the data. The conversation also examines the tension between protecting psychological test materials and the transparency expected by the courts.
How do you know whether the methods you're using in a forensic evaluation will hold up in a legal setting? Can you confidently explain why you chose a particular test? What happens when clinical best practices and legal standards require you to think beyond the way you would approach a traditional evaluation? In this episode, I discuss the legal guidelines that forensic psychologists need to consider when conducting evaluations. I explore how forensic work differs from traditional clinical practice, including the importance of being able to justify test selection, understand scientific foundations, and apply methods appropriately. I also discuss Frye and Daubert standards, the Federal Rules of Evidence, statutes, and case law, and why understanding the specific legal requirements of each evaluation is essential.