Dr. John Daignault is a forensic psychologist specializing in criminal, civil, probate and family court matters. He has over 1,750 expert witness testimonies and 750 appointments as an independent evaluator. His areas of concentration include competency evaluations, criminal responsibility, parental capacity and sexual abuse/dangerousness assessments. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Baylor University and licenses in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and formerly Florida.

1. DR. JOHN DAIGNAULT
Specializing in Forensic Psychology
100 Grandview Road
Suite 311
Braintree, MA 02184
Telephone 781.843.9800
Facsimile 781.843.9801
Website: www.DrDaignault.com
Email: JD@DrDaignault.com
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
Criminal (Adult and Juvenile) - Competency to Stand Trial; Competency to Waive Miranda;
Confessional Voluntariness; Criminal Responsibility (Insanity); Diminished Capacity; Aid in
Sentencing
Civil - Sexual Dangerous Person (SDP); Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB); Mental Health
Commitability; Psychological Injury; Sexual Harassment; Sexual Abuse; Clergy or Other
Professional Abuse; Psychologist or Agency Misconduct
Probate and Family Court and Juvenile Court – Guardian ad Litem; Guardian ad Litem Second
Opinions; Custody; Visitation; Parental Capacity; Parental Alienation; Removal; Sexual Abuse;
Sexual Dangerousness; Competency; Substituted Judgment; Guardianship; Testamentary
Capacity; Termination of Parental Rights; Adoption; Attachment
Other Forensic Assessments or Consultations - Workplace Violence; Fitness for Duty; Workers’
Psychological Disability; School Violence; Special Education (Autistic Spectrum Disorders,
Asperger’s Disorder, Developmental Disorders); Residential Treatment; Psychopathology;
Mental Illness; Intellectual Disability; Alcohol and Substance Abuse
EXPERT TESTIMONY, SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS, AND
HONORARY DISTINCTIONS
Testified as an expert witness in psychology in approximately 1,750 cases in District, Superior,
Probate and Family, Juvenile, and Federal Courts, as well as state administrative bodies
Retained by prosecution, plaintiff’s counsel, and defense bar
Appointed by numerous Courts as an independent Guardian ad Litem or psychological examiner
in approximately 750 cases
Appointed by the Bristol County (MA) Probate and Family Court and Bristol (MA) Superior
Court for more than 25 years as the Court Monitor of a residential, educational and psychological

2. treatment center for severely developmentally disabled and behaviorally disordered children,
adolescents, and adults
Cited as Most Helpful Expert in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and as an eminently qualified
expert by superior court justices
Frequent invited speaker to legal audiences and the media
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Psy.D.
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Baylor University
Waco, TX
(1983)
M.S.W.
Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work
Smith College
Northampton, MA
(1979)
A.B., cum laude
St. Michael’s College
Winooski Park, VT
(1971)
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Diplomate
American Board of Psychological Specialties
American College of Forensic Examiners
Milwaukee, WI
(1998 – present)
Designated & Supervising Forensic Psychologist
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Mental Health
Boston, MA
(1986 – present)
Clinical Associate
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA
(1983 – present)
Instructor in Psychology
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3. Department of Psychiatry, Part-Time
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
(1983 – present)
Court Monitor
Bristol County (MA) Probate and Family Court
Bristol (MA) Superior Court
Taunton, MA
(1986 – present)
Consulting Staff
Pembroke Hospital
Pembroke, MA
(1986 – 2003)
Consulting Staff
Westwood Lodge Hospital
Westwood, MA
(1986 – 2003)
Advisory Panel
Massachusetts 9/11 Fund
Boston, MA
(2001 – 2003)
Community Access Board
Supervisor, Qualified Examiners
Qualified Examiner
Massachusetts Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons
Bridgewater, MA
(1992 – 2000)
Senior Staff
Division of Forensic Mental Health
Department of Mental Health
Boston, MA
(1986 – 1994)
Assistant Medical Director
Bridgewater State Hospital
Bridgewater, MA
(1983 – 1986)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Private Practice (Forensic Psychology)
3

4. Braintree, MA
(1995-present)
Director
Brockton Court Clinic
Brockton, MA
(1986-1994)
Private Practice (Clinical & Forensic Psychology)
Plymouth, MA
Brockton, MA
(1984-1994)
Consultant (McLean Hospital)
Secure Care Unit
Taunton State Hospital
Taunton, MA
(1988-1989)
Consultant (Human Services Cooperative)
Massachusetts Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons
Bridgewater, MA
(1988-1989)
Unit Clinical Director &
Forensic Psychologist (McLean Hospital)
Bridgewater State Hospital
Bridgewater, MA
(1983-1986)
Instructor
Baylor University
Waco, TX
(1981-1982)
Instructor
McLennan Community College
Waco, TX
(1980-1981)
Assistant Director
May Institute for Autistic Children
Chatham, MA
(1976-1977)
Coordinator of Children’s Services
May Institute for Autistic Children
4

5. Chatham, MA
(1974-1976)
Houseparent
Hampshire Country School
Rindge, NH
(1973-1974)
SUPERVISED TRAINING EXPERIENCE
Doctoral Extern in Forensic Psychology
McLean/Bridgewater Program
Bridgewater State Hospital
Bridgewater, MA
(1982-1983)
Doctoral Intern in Clinical Psychology
McLean Hospital (APA Approved)
Belmont, MA
(1982-1983)
Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology
Veterans Administration Medical Center Hospital
Waco, TX
(1981-1982)
Waco Center for Youth
Waco, TX
(1980-1981)
Heart of Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Center
Waco, TX
(1979-1980)
Graduate Student in Clinical Social Work
McLean Hospital Outpatient Clinic
Belmont, MA
(1978-1979)
North Central Massachusetts Mental Health Center
Fitchburg, MA
(1977-1978)
PRESENTATIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AND CITATIONS
Invited Speaker: “Mental Health Issues and Divorce”
Cutting Edge Issues in Southeastern Massachusetts Family Law Practice
5

6. Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Taunton, MA
(2015)
Invited Speaker: “Scientific Foundation of Psychological Assessments in the Juvenile
Court”
2013 Annual Conference
Massachusetts Juvenile Bar Association
Westborough, MA
(2013)
Invited Panelist: “Psychological Effects of International Child Abduction”
New England Law School
Boston, MA
(2013)
Cited: “Most Helpful Expert”
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Case involved sexual assault on 10-year-old girl by store employee
Settled by mediation
Suffolk Superior Court
Boston, MA
(2013)
Cited: “Extremely Qualified” Expert in Sexual Dangerousness
In Commonwealth vs. Gullick
Essex Superior Court (Feeley, J.)
Salem, MA
(2013)
Invited Panelist: “Demystifying the GAL Process”
22nd
Annual Family Law Conference
Massachusetts Bar Association
Lenox, MA
(2012)
Cited: “Most Helpful Expert”
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
In Jane Doe v. Starr
Norfolk Superior Court (Dortch-Okara, J.)
Dedham, MA
(2012)
Author: “Psychological Effects of International Child Abduction”
Family Law Section Newsletter
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
6

7. (2012)
Invited Speaker: “Psychological Effects of Child Abduction”
International Perspectives on Family Law Practice: International Child Custody and the Hague
Convention
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
(2011)
Invited Expert: “Divorce Wars”
CNBC
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
(2011)
Invited Speaker: “Mental Illness”
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court GAL Training Conference
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Taunton, MA
(2010)
Invited Speaker: “Sexual Offender Evaluations and The Courtroom”
Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting
Providence, RI
(2010)
Cited as Expert: Sexual Dangerousness
In Commonwealth v. Richard J. Cowen
Supreme Judicial Court
Boston, MA
(2008)
Invited Panelist: “Family Law Case Update”
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Boston, MA
(2008)
Invited Panelist: “Clinical Experts in a Custody Case”
17th
Annual Family Law Conference
Massachusetts Bar Association
Lenox, MA
(2007)
Invited Speaker: “Toxic Parent-Child Relationships in Divorce”
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Southern New England School of Law
Dartmouth, MA
(2007)
7

8. Invited Panelist: “Criminal Issues in the District and Probate Courts”
Criminal Law Section & Family Law Section
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
(2006)
Cited: “Most Helpful Expert”
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
In Doe by Vawter v. Wormser
Essex Superior Court (Whitehead, J.)
Salem, MA
(2006)
Cited: “Eminently Qualified” Expert in Sexual Dangerousness
In Commonwealth vs. Crichlow
Hampden Superior Court (Velis, J.)
Springfield, MA
(2004)
Invited Speaker: “Complex Issues in Murder Cases”
20th
Anniversary Advanced Legal Studies
Suffolk University Law School
Marcaronis Institute for Trial and Appellate Advocacy
Sponsored with the Flaschner Judicial Institute
Boston, MA
(2002)
Invited Speaker: “Evaluating Removal in Massachusetts”
Family Law Section
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
(2002)
Quoted as Expert: “Can Trauma Hide in the Back of the Mind”
USA Today
McLean, VA
(2002)
Author: “Toward an Appropriate Evaluative Pathway in Removal Cases”
Family Law Section Newsletter
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA
(2001)
Invited Panelist: “The Insanity Defense: The Richard Sharpe Case”
News Night
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9. New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(2001)
Invited Panelist: “Sexually Dangerous Persons: The Christopher Reardon Case”
Channel 5 News
Newton, MA
(2001)
Invited Panelist: “Sexually Dangerous Persons: The Christopher Reardon Case”
News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(2001)
Invited Speaker: “Assessment of Sexually Dangerous Persons”
Spring Judicial Education Conference
Massachusetts Superior Court Judiciary
Dedham, MA
(2001)
Invited Speaker: “Violence in the Workplace”
Human Resources Division
Liberty Mutual
Boston, MA
(2001)
Invited Speaker: “Violence in the Workplace”
Labor and Law Division
Boston Bar Association
Boston, MA (2000)
Invited Panelist: “Who’s Benefiting From The Move? Protecting the Best Interest of the
Child”
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston, MA
(2000)
Cited: “Eminently Qualified” Expert in Sexual Dangerousness”
In Commonwealth vs. Donn Krueger
Middlesex Superior Court (Sosman, J.)
Cambridge, MA
(2000)
Invited Speaker: “Exploring Psychology: Forensic Psychology”
Cablevision
Braintree, MA
9

10. (2000)
Invited Speaker: “School Violence”
Thayer Academy
Braintree, MA
(1999)
Quoted as Expert: “Children Who Kill”
Patriot Ledger
Quincy, MA
(1999)
Invited Panelist: “School Violence”
Independent Schools Crisis Response Team
Noble and Greenough School
Dedham, MA
(1998)
Invited Panelist: “Recidivism and Treatment of Sex Offenders”
News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(1998)
Cited: “Expert” in Medical Malpractice Case
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Middlesex Superior Court (Docket No. 94-7544L)
Cambridge, MA
(1998)
Invited Panelist: “Assessment of Sex Offenders”
News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(1996)
Invited Speaker: “Assessment of Dangerousness”
Norfolk Probate and Family Court
Dedham, MA
(1996)
Quoted as Expert: “Violence Prevention in Schools”
Patriot Ledger
Quincy, MA
(1996)
Invited Panelist: “The Insanity Defense: The John Salvi Case”
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11. News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(1996)
Invited Panelist: “The Insanity Defense”
News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(1995)
Invited Panelist: “Jury Sequestration in the O.J. Simpson Case”
Fox 25
Newton, MA
(1995)
Invited Speaker: “Child Sexual Abuse in Child Custody Cases”
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Inc.
Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
Taunton, MA
(1995)
Cited: “Expert” in negligence case involving clergy sexual abuse
Verdictum Juris
Los Angeles (CA) Superior Court (Docket No. 594-04-03)
(1994)
Invited Speaker: “The Memory of a Victim in a Sexual Abuse Case”
Health Law Section
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston, MA
(1994)
Invited Speaker: “Forensic Sexual Abuse Evaluations in the Face of Custody Conflict”
Family Development Program
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
(1994)
Invited Faculty: “Critical Thinking in Guardian ad Litem Deliberations”
Massachusetts Guardian ad Litem Association, Inc.
Dedham, MA
(1994)
Invited Panelist: “Substance Abuse and the Courts”
Supreme Judicial Court Substance Abuse Project
Brockton, MA
11

12. (1994)
Invited Speaker: “Violence in the Workplace”
New England Federal Personnel Council
Bedford, MA
(1994)
Invited Speaker: “Violence in the Workplace”
Fleet Financial Services
Springfield, MA
(1994)
Invited Speaker: “Divorce and Family Dynamics”
Bristol Probate and Family Court
New Bedford, MA
(1993)
Invited Panelist: “Rehabilitation of the Sex Offender”
News Night
New England Cable News
Newton, MA
(1993)
Invited Panelist: “The Forensic Evaluation of Past Abuse: Ethical and Professional
Challenges. The Emergence of a Collective Memory of Past Abuse: Lessons from the
Father Porter Case.”
Ninth Annual Conference on Abuse and Victimization in Life-Span Perspective
Harvard Medical School
Cambridge, MA
(1993)
Quoted as Expert: “Unlocking Hidden Memories”
U.S. News and World Report
(November 29, 1993)
Quoted as Expert: “Sins of the Father”
The Boston Globe Magazine
(August 29, 1993)
Invited Panelist: “Working With Your Expert”
Seminar on Sexual Abuse Damages Actions
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Boston, MA
(1992)
Invited Speaker: “Assessment of High Risk in the Workplace
American PsychManagement/Hurst Association, Inc.
12

13. Boston, MA
(1992)
Invited Speaker: “Forensic Assessments and Issues”
Family Violence Seminars
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, MA
(1992)
Invited Speaker: “Childhood Sexual Abuse”
Plymouth Area Clergy Association
Plymouth, MA
(1991)
Invited Speaker: “Prediction of Violence”
South Shore Mental Health Center
Quincy, MA
(1990)
Contributing Author: “Guidance for Judges Hearing Grandparent Visitation Cases”
By Hon. Ernest J. Rotenberg
In Ellen Segal and Naomi Karp, Eds.
Grandparent Visitation Disputes
American Bar Association
(1989)
Invited Speaker: “Forensic Mental Health: Current Policy and Practice”
Psychology Department
Southeastern Massachusetts University
New Bedford, MA
(1987)
Invited Speaker: “Forensic Mental Health: Current Policy and Practice”
Psychiatry Academic Rounds
Brockton Hospital
Brockton, MA
(1987)
Invited Speaker: “Forensic Mental Health: Current Policy and Practice”
Speakers Bureau
Westwood Lodge Hospital
Westwood, MA
(1987)
Invited Faculty: “Administrative Institute Series”
Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools
Great Barrington, MA
13

14. (1987)
Invited Speaker: “Inpatient Treatment of the Borderline Personality Disorder”
Inservice Staff Training
Bridgewater State Hospital
Bridgewater, MA
(1984)
Invited Speaker: “Toward an Understanding of Countertransference”
Department of Psychology
Baylor University
Waco, TX
(1982)
Invited Speaker: “Using Milieu Treatment”
Inservice Staff Training
Highpoint School
Lenox, MA
(1977)
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
Massachusetts Psychologist License #3620 (1984 - present)
Rhode Island Psychologist License #PS01142 (2009 - present)
Florida Psychologist License #PY6871 (2004 - 2014)
Registrant, National Register of Health Service Providers in
Psychology (1988 - present)
Member, American Psychological Association
Member, Psychology Law Society (Division 41: American Psychological Association)
Member, Massachusetts Psychological Association
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