Ethics in forensic psychology

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OK here you go. I count 6 ethical errors that I have expanded on in this case study. This will allow you to pick and choose the ones that you would like to use fulfill your assignment. I hope this helps.

I attached my guidance to the end of this document and case study. I decided to illuminate all the possible ethical issues involved even though you are minimally responsible for only three infractions. I pointed out the possible ethical violation and placed the applicable code for both APA Psychologist (in bold) and if applicable the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologist (SGFP) in italics with the details of the violation.
I hope this helps. Just continue below your initial post. Cliff

Forensic psychology rests on a combination of legal and psychological principles. Some job settings serviced by forensic psychology professionals are multi-disciplinary in nature. As a result, forensic psychology professionals may work with others who have no background in forensic psychology. For example, a forensic psychology professional working in the family court system may work with case workers, victim advocates, attorneys, and other nontreatment professionals. In some forensic settings, a forensic psychology professional may be asked to engage in matters or make decisions that are contrary to forensic psychology professional ethics. Navigating such situations may be difficult, particularly when the directive comes from a nontreatment supervisor. Thus communicating clearly your position as a forensic psychology professional is important to the integrity of your role. Furthermore, asserting your role may influence your professional practice or have legal implications for the people you are treating.

Think about ethical issues related to consulting with other staff in forensic settings.

Consider how you might work with nontreatment staff in forensic settings.

Select at least two potential ethical issues/challenges that you might encounter in working with nontreatment staff in forensic settings.

Think about why each ethical issue you selected might be a challenge and consider how you might address each.
Question: 1

A description of each of the ethical issues and/or challenges you selected. Then explain why each is a challenge and how you might address it?

Issue #1: Confidentiality
Confidentiality actually a key area of concern in forensic psychology as it is for the profession in general. As a forensic psychologist, a practitioner is asked to examine a client by the courts for a specific and usually limited purpose, for example competence to stand trial or psychological mitigaters. It often happens the lawyers or others might seek information that is beyond the limited scope of the examination which may have become available to the psychologist during the examination. Ethically the forensic psychologist must ensure the confidentiality of information that is outside the scope of what has been ordered by the courts or attorneys. The courts or attorneys do not have automatic access to all information because the individual under examination still has a limited right to privacy and must give informed consent.

6.03 Communication with Forensic Examinees
Forensic practitioners inform examinees about the nature and purpose of the examination (EPPCC Standard 9.03; American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education, 1999). Such information may include the purpose, nature, and anticipated use of the examination; who will have access to the information; associated limitations on privacy, confidentiality, and privilege including who is authorized to release or access the information contained in the forensic practitioner's records; the voluntary or involuntary nature of participation, including potential consequences of participation or non-participation, if known; and, if the cost of the service is the responsibility of the examinee, the anticipated cost. (SGFP)
6.04 Communication with Collateral Sources of Information
Forensic practitioners disclose to potential collateral sources information that might reasonably be expected to inform their decisions about participating that may include, but may not be limited to, who has retained the forensic practitioner; the nature, purpose, and intended use of the examination or other procedure; the nature of and any limits on privacy, confidentiality, and privilege; and whether their participation is voluntary (EPPCC Standard 3.10). (SGFP)

Issue #2: Mandatory Reporting
This issue is illustrated by something that happened during the Jodi Arrias's trial. While on the stand, the defense forensic psychologist stated that Jodi had spoken to him at length about a desire to commit suicide. The D.A. questioned him at length about what he did because of that information and essentially, he crossed the line and provided some therapy but failed to notify the jail staff. Mixed relationships (forensic examiner and therapist) are an ethical violation for forensic psychologist unless there is the need for limited emergency therapy and intervention. In this case, APA Ethical Guidelines indicate that if the client indicates they may be a danger to themselves or anyone else then a report is to be made to competent authority who would then order a risk assessment which at the present time would be outside of the forensic psychologist's responsibility. He failed to notify the staff at the jail that there was a risk even if he deemed it limited. By law and by ethical standards there are times that confidentiality has to broken.

4.02.01 Therapeutic-Forensic Role Conflicts
Providing forensic and ...