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Forensic Competency Assessment with Digital Technologies

  • Psychiatry in the Digital Age (J Shore, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

We review the application of videoconferencing (VC) to pretrial forensic assessments of competence to stand trial (CST). We summarize the benefits, legal considerations, and reliability of VC evaluations. Based on our experience with VC in forensic settings, we provide illustrations of challenges and recommendations regarding this capability to meet increasing demands for services.

Recent Findings

CST evaluations are the most frequent type of forensic mental health assessment within the American legal system. VC can be a reliable method for conducting interviews with most defendants, including those with psychotic symptoms. Videoconferencing can improve the overall efficiency of evaluations while also improving the safety of the professionals involved with the competency evaluation.

Summary

VC provides an opportunity to meet the increasing demand for evaluations and improve their efficiency. Forensic clinicians should become familiar with the uses of VC in delivering services so that VC is implemented ethically and effectively.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Forensic Mental Health Services, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45330, Olympia, WA, 98504, USA

    David D. Luxton & Katharine A. McIntyre

  2. Child Study and Treatment Center, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Lakewood, WA, USA

    Frances J. Lexcen

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    David D. Luxton & Frances J. Lexcen

Authors
  1. David D. Luxton
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  2. Frances J. Lexcen
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  3. Katharine A. McIntyre
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Correspondence to David D. Luxton.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Psychiatry in the Digital Age

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Luxton, D.D., Lexcen, F.J. & McIntyre, K.A. Forensic Competency Assessment with Digital Technologies. Curr Psychiatry Rep 21, 60 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1037-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1037-9

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