Ethical Responsibilities in reporting forensic assessment findings accurately  An assessment completed by a Forensic Psychologist is unique and challenging. Interviewing a person who has been charged with a crime involves careful application of informed consent, detailed record keeping, specifically-selected and relevant assessment usage, careful consideration of civil liability and civil rights, and a full understanding of boundaries and competence and information disclosure (de Ruter & Kaser-Boyd, 2015). The American Psychological Association has applied specific standards and expectations for the specialized field of Forensic Psychology (de Ruiter & Kaser-Boyd, 2015).  However, five general ethical principles for all psychologists: beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity (American Psychological Association 2002). Risks of failing to report accurately Providing accurate and objective information to the legal issues of importance is the primary responsibility of the Forensic psychologist (de Ruiter & Kaser-Boyd, 2015). Accurate record keeping is a significant component of accurate reporting.  According to the American Psychological Association, “Records benefit both the client and the psychologist through documentation of treatment plans, services provided, and client progress” (2016c).  Accurate record keeping also documents and tracks planning, services and interventions provided and allows for accurate monitoring of case progress or lack thereof (American Psychological Association, 2016c). State and Federal Laws and regulations mandate accurate record keeping in practice.  In his article, Malpractice & Licensing Pitfalls for Therapists: A defense Attorney’s List , Brandt Caudill, Jr. Esq. , provides the common challenges experienced in mental health professionals work, that leads to liability and licensing board actions. This list includes but is not limited to: excessive or inappropriate self-disclosure, business relationships with patients, using techniques without proper training, using incorrect diagnosis deliberately, avoiding the medical model, inadequate notes, failure to obtain an adequate history, uncritically accepting what a patient says, use of inappropriate syndrome testimony, and failure to obtain peer consultation (Caudill, n.d.). Potential Breaches of confidentiality that could violate ethical guidelines The ethical and legal obligation to maintain confidentiality for clients is cited in the American Psychological Association’s Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology and states, “Forensic practitioners recognize their ethical obligations to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to a client or retaining party, except insofar as disclosure is consented to by the client or retaining party, or requires or permitted by law (EPPCC Standard 4.01). American Psychological Association, 2016c). Example Under the APA’s Guid ...

1. Ethical Responsibilities in reporting forensic assessment
findings accurately
An assessment completed by a Forensic Psychologist is unique
and challenging. Interviewing a person who has been charged
with a crime involves careful application of informed consent,
detailed record keeping, specifically-selected and relevant
assessment usage, careful consideration of civil liability and
civil rights, and a full understanding of boundaries and
competence and information disclosure (de Ruter & Kaser-
Boyd, 2015). The American Psychological Association has
applied specific standards and expectations for the specialized
field of Forensic Psychology (de Ruiter & Kaser-Boyd, 2015).
However, five general ethical principles for all psychologists:
beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility,
integrity, justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity
(American Psychological Association 2002).
Risks of failing to report accurately
Providing accurate and objective information to the legal is sues
of importance is the primary responsibility of the Forensic
psychologist (de Ruiter & Kaser-Boyd, 2015). Accurate record
keeping is a significant component of accurate reporting.
According to the American Psychological Association,
“Records benefit both the client and the psychologist through
documentation of treatment plans, services provided, and client
progress” (2016c). Accurate record keeping also documents and
tracks planning, services and interventions provided and allows
for accurate monitoring of case progress or lack thereof
(American Psychological Association, 2016c). State and Federal
Laws and regulations mandate accurate record keeping in
practice. In his article,

2. Malpractice & Licensing Pitfalls for Therapists: A defense
Attorney’s List
, Brandt Caudill, Jr. Esq. , provides the common challenges
experienced in mental health professionals work, that leads to
liability and licensing board actions. This list includes but is
not limited to: excessive or inappropriate self-disclosure,
business relationships with patients, using techniques without
proper training, using incorrect diagnosis deliberately, avoiding
the medical model, inadequate notes, failure to obtain an
adequate history, uncritically accepting what a patient says, use
of inappropriate syndrome testimony, and failure to obtain peer
consultation (Caudill, n.d.).
Potential Breaches of confidentiality that could violate ethical
guidelines
The ethical and legal obligation to maintain confidentiality for
clients is cited in the American Psychological Association’s
Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology and states,
“Forensic practitioners recognize their ethical obligations to
maintain the confidentiality of information relating to a client
or retaining party, except insofar as disclosure is consented to
by the client or retaining party, or requires or permitted by law
(EPPCC Standard 4.01). American Psychological Association,
2016c).
Example
Under the APA’s Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists, Code
8.04 Use of Case Materials in Teaching, Continuing education
and other scholarly activities, forensic practitioners are
reminded that when using materials related to a case for the
purpose of teaching, training or research, they must do so in a
manner that attempts to protect the privacy or the persons
involved by cloaking and disguising relevant personal
identifiable information of those individuals or parties who

3. would claim interest in those cases (American Psychological
Association, 2016c).
References:
American Psychological Association (2010). Ethical principles
of psychologists and code of conduct
(2002, Amended June 1, 2010).
www.apa.ort/ethics/code/index.aspx
American Psychological Association. (2016c). Specialty
Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. Retrieved
from
http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/forensic-
psychology.aspx
Caudill, Jr. Brandt (n.d.). Malpractice & Licensing Pitfalls for
Therapists: A defense Attorney’s List.
De Ruiter, C. & Kaser-Boyd, N. (2015). Forensic psychological
assessment in practice:
Case studies. New York, NY: Routledge.