Webster defines "forensic" as "belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of law". Because the term "forensic" is often used today in TV crime show investigations and dramas, there sometimes is confusion in the general population that “forensic” is a term that relates specifically to crimes, which is not the case. Instead,“forensic” should be understood to mean “helpful in court cases,” rather than pertaining to a crime.
Based on this definition, there are many types of professionals who may be considered “forensic professionals,” such as psychologists, economists, and pathologists. Forensic professionals with different specialties can be helpful to legal counsel when their area of expertise is required.
Forensic Psychology Expert Witnesses
Although not every profession has a specialty in forensics, there are many forensic psychology expert witness in different professions who have been qualified to testify before a jury, thereby making them de facto forensic specialists.
The psychology profession, however, has recognized forensics as a subspecialty. As a consequence, standards of care and ethical guidelines have been adopted governing forensic psychology. For example, the Forensic Psychologist can be called upon to opine about etiology (disease causation), casualty, and or temporal relationships between a plaintiff’s assertions and the objective findings. Sometimes, as you might suspect, the Forensic Psychologist’s opinion may not support the plaintiff’s assertions.
How a Forensic Psychologist Can Help Support a Litigation Team
By applying scientific principals and areas of knowledge to each individual case, the Forensic Psychologist can:
- Help legal counsel understand the meaning and importance of scientific and other data, research, reports, and papers so that such information can be considered in the strategic development of a case,
- Help attorneys and jurors understand complex psychological issues such as the effects of trauma, brain injury, and the long-term prognosis of such effects,
- Spot signs of malingering, feigning, secondary gain and factitious disorders (where the plaintiff fabricates their condition to get medical attention),
- Provide an expert opinion concerning whether a person’s assertions and symptoms are likely real or imagined,
- Assess pre- and post-incident functioning based upon the available information,
- Connect injuries such as TBI and trauma to the post-incident functioning of the injured person along aspects including vocational ability, future earnings loss, and emotional and interpersonal relationship disturbance, so that a jury may understand the damages suffered in determining compensation,
- Offer objective evidence to help support or clarify matters that may be in question at trial, and
- Communicate the scientific principles underlying their expert opinion to a judge and jury in an understandable manner.
In matters where terms of art and jargon abound, a forensic psychologist can clarify the otherwise confusing plethora of data. Offering a scientifically replicable approach that can withstand the scrutiny of a Daubert challenge, a Forensic Psychologist can testify, depending on the issue, on either the liability or damages side of a case.
The Independence of Forensic Psychologists
Forensic Psychologists are independent examiners. They provide objective opinions based on interviews, testing, and documentation. They are unlike therapists or medical providers who treat a patient or client and act as the patient’s advocate.
Forensic Psychologists testify in civil matters for either plaintiff or defense, and in criminal matters, called by defense or prosecution. Procedurally, Forensic Psychologists evaluate the claimant, plaintiff, or defendant in a structured and scientifically rigorous manner. Although all communications are subject to discovery, communications are kept confidential and are made available to both the referring attorney and opposing counsel with an authorized release. Forensic specialists are expected to use standardized tests or instruments. A non-standardized approach or absence of substantiation for an opinion can be at best misinterpreted and at worst misperceived as intentional.
Forensic Psychologist as an Expert Witness: A Crucial Asset in Complex Litigations
Although many Forensic Psychologists as an expert witness have become known as experts who testify, others have developed expertise as trial consultants. If you are involved in a difficult or complicated litigation and require the services of an expert Forensic psychologist with knowledge of both clinical and vocational matters, consider Dr. Kenneth J. Manges and Associates.
Supporting Your Case with a Forensic-Wage Loss Expert.
Dr. Kenneth J. Manges & Associates is a valuable asset for your legal team to consider when you need an expert forensic psychological and earnings loss assessment for your next civil case.
Why Forensic Psychology Matters in Civil Law
Forensic psychology goes beyond criminal-defense. It applies psychological expertise to a wide range of civil legal issues. Dr. Manges provides expert comprehensive evaluations that complete a winning strategy that can strengthen your case in areas such as:
- Personal Injury: Dr. Manges can assess the psychological impact in a personal injury case where pain and suffering, emotional distress, TBI, PTSD and earnings post injury are of primary concern.
- Family Law: In family disputes, Dr. Manges conducts evaluations to assess parenting competency, custody issues related to the child’s best interests and the impact of different custody arrangements on all parties involved.
- Disability Claims: The comprehensive forensic psychological assessment Dr. Manges offers will demonstrate how any psychological or physical effects from a disability will impact the client’s future employability and earning capacity.
How Dr. Manges Can Help You
Dr. Manges is a licensed, certified, qualified forensic psychologist with extensive experience in civil litigation. He offers the following benefits to your practice:
- In-Depth Assessments: Dr. Manges utilizes a multi-faceted approach, face to face clinical interviews, psychological testing, and review of relevant records, which provide a comprehensive picture of your referral’s psychological state and any legitimate demonstrable earning’s loss.
- Objective Analysis: He conducts assessments with neutrality and focuses on the facts of your referral’s mental status and earnings ability.
- Clear Communication: Dr. Manges presents findings in a clear, concise, and legally sound manner,which have been proven to be effective when complex psychological and earning capacity issues are being considered by arbitrators, judges, magistrates and or juries.
- Expert Witness Testimony: Dr. Manges is an expert when it comes to providing clear, comprehensive and readily understood testimony, whether it is in-person or virtually for your arbitration, hearing or trial.
When you hire Dr. Manges you can feel confident that you have enlisted an expert who will enable you to pursue your objectives with confidence. By partnering with Dr. Kenneth J. Manges & Associates, you gain a trusted resource for forensic psychological and vocational assessments, allowing you to:
- Strengthen Your Case: By offering objective and comprehensive evaluations which will enable you to bolster your arguments and build a stronger case for your client.
- Support Informed Decisions: With over 40 years of experience and 100’s of hours of testimony in front of decision makers, Dr. Manges' insights will assist you in developing a more informed litigation strategy.
Contact Dr. Kenneth J. Manges & Associates today! Call (513) 784-1333, text (513) 289-4847, or email: Drmanges@gmail.com and find out how Dr. Manges’ expertise can benefit your next case when psychological trauma and wage loss are the focus of your damages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What kind of cases can benefit from a forensic/wage loss assessment?
A.Personal injury, family law, disability claims, trauma, PTSD, TBI and many more.
Q. How can a forensic psychological/wage loss assessment strengthen my case?
A.The assessment will document any legitimate plaintiff psychological trauma due to physical trauma and any permanent wage loss as a part of their damages claim.
Q. What does a typical forensic psychological/wage loss assessment involve?
A. It can be a file review without testing or It can be a more in-depth in-person or virtual interview, testing, records review, and possibly consultations with collateral sources involved in the case.
Because your client’s confidentiality is important. Dr. Manges provides a detailed confidential discussion about the scope of service you can expect before beginning the assessment process.
When you need the expertise of a forensic expert, let Dr. Manges’ help with your next case where psychological and wage loss are the focus of your damages concern.
