As stated earlier, such groups can be useful in improving MMPI-2-RF interpretations via comparison data. The primary goal was to determine specific mean MMPI-2-RF profiles for CST and CR groups, respectively, to provide more homogeneous comparison groups for examiners using the MMPI-2-RF in criminal forensic evaluations. Therefore, a more specific comparison group for use with the most common pre-trial forensic evaluations (i.e., CST and CR) would be very useful to forensic examiners who employ the MMPI-2-RF in their testing arsenals” (p. However, the current criminal pre-trial group available for the MMPI-2-RF consists of a heterogeneous collection of defendants (e.g., those evaluated for drug intervention in lieu of conviction in addition to CST and CR). In particular, the test publisher has made a pre-trial criminal comparison group available that forensic examiners can use for targeted comparisons to determine whether a defendant’s scores are typical of or deviate meaningfully from scores of others who undergo these evaluations. The MMPI-2-RF has adopted comparison groups from a variety of settings, including various forensic settings. “Although normative data based on large nationally representative samples are key to the interpretation of psychological test scores generally, the presence of comparison groups specific to the evaluation at hand are important.
Furthering this knowledge base is critical in light of its emergent use in clinical and forensic practice” (p.
The most recent version of this test, the MMPI-2 Restructured Form, has not yet been studied with respect to CST and CR evaluations. The most recent available surveys on forensic test usage indicated that the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) was the most frequently used test instrument in forensic evaluations. Forensic examiners frequently rely on psychological testing to elaborate on the psychological status of defendants undergoing such evaluations. For instance, CST evaluations comprise approximately 20–30% of all criminal forensic evaluations.
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“Competency to Stand Trial (CST) and Criminal Responsibility (CR) are among the most frequent psycho-legal questions addressed in criminal proceedings in the United States. MMPI-2-RF, personality assessment, criminal responsibility, competency to stand trial Summary of the Research Implications for forensic psychology practice are discussed. Moreover, those opined competent to stand trial by forensic examiners scored lower than those opined incompetent on measures of psychoticism/paranoia, whereas those opined not criminally responsible were less likely to exhibit externalizing psychopathology relative to those opined to be criminally responsible. In a large pre-trial criminal defendant sample (n D 486), significant differences were observed between defendants evaluated for CST and those evaluated for CR on scales reflecting emotional and externalizing dysfunction, but not thought dysfunction. This study sought to provide more specific comparison groups for examiners using the MMPI-2-RF in criminal forensic evaluations, as well as to expand upon the existing literature by comparing defendants evaluated for Competency to Stand Trial (CST) and Criminal Responsibility (CR) on psychological functioning. Martin Sellbom, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Abstract 4, 304-312 Using the MMPI-2-RF to Characterize Defendants Evaluated for Competency to Stand Trial and Criminal Responsibility Featured Article | The International Journal of Forensic Mental Health | 2017, Vol.
Below is a summary of the research and findings as well as a translation of this research into practice. This is the bottom line of a recently published article in The International Journal of Forensic Mental Health.
The MMPI-2-RF can be useful in characterizing defendants evaluated for Competency to Stand Trial and Criminal Responsibility, which will allow forensic examiners to have a better sense of what to expect in terms of MMPI-2-RF results from individuals undergoing such evaluations.