Forensic mental health evaluations in the digital age: a practitioner's guide to using internet-based data

This is the first book devoted to the use of social media and other internet-derived data in forming forensic clinical opinions of behavior. Designed for mental health practitioners, it outlines the challenges and the benefits of incorporating digital information in forensic assessments. It offers best practice guidelines geared to both criminal and civil psycho-legal questions. Each chapter includes a brief overview of the psycho-legal issues, clinical applications of consulting internet-based data, ethical and legal considerations and real life, de-identified case examples. This book provides guidance to the clinician in an emerging technological environment in which there are few resources, and ensures a more scientific and legally sound practice.

Includes index.

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Internet-Based Data and Its Relevance to Forensic Mental Health Assessments -- Chapter 2: Using Social Media in Conducting Evaluations of Criminal Responsibility -- Chapter 3: Using Social Media in Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations -- Chapter 4: Using Social Media in Conducting Risk Assessment -- Chapter 5: The Assessment of Individuals Charged with or Convicted of Sexual Offenses -- Chapter 6: Child Custody Litigation and Psychological Evaluations -- Chapter 7: Integration of Internet-based Data in Pre-Employment and Fitness-For-Duty Psychological Evaluations in the Law Enforcement Arena -- Chapter 8: Personal Injury and Disability Evaluations -- Chapter 9: General Recommendations for Integrating Internet-Based Data in Forensic Mental Health Assessments and What We Still Need to Know.