An Expert Team Approach

Forensic Minds Consulting uses a team approach to ensure that our psychological evaluations are conducted with the exacting level of integrity, diagnostic accuracy, and objectivity that is critical to high quality forensic evaluations. All experts at Forensic Minds Consulting are licensed, doctoral level psychologists, who bring a wealth of experience and specialized forensic training to their work. The team approach allows cases to be informed by our broad collective expert knowledge base. Two experts work together to complete each evaluation, and cases are routinely discussed with the entire panel of forensic psychologists. Our extensive discussions of each case lead to multiple hypotheses generated and objectively examined in the context of the evaluation data. Through this comprehensive process, the potential for single evaluator bias is reduced.  The end result is a comprehensive forensic evaluation that communicates an impactful, evidence-based expert opinion.

On a practical level, the team model of forensic evaluation promotes a more expedient evaluation timeline. Case work may continue even if the lead evaluator is out of the office or otherwise engaged. The peer consultation and support inherent to the team model are also a preventative factor against professional burnout.

Upon receiving a referral, one of our expert psychologists will consult with the referring attorney to gather information about the case and any psycholegal referral questions.  Each evaluation referral is carefully considered and matched to the pair of psychologists who are best suited for the case needs. A lead evaluator is designated; from that point forward she will be the point person for communication between the attorney and the expert team. The lead psychologist and secondary psychologist work as a team to review records, conduct defendant and collateral interviews, administer and interpret psychological testing, and write report drafts. All cases will be staffed with the entire team, allowing counter hypotheses to be generated and vetted. The lead evaluator is responsible for the ultimate opinion produced, the final report work product, and any related testimony.