Forensic Psych Exam 1 questions with verified
answers
According to the survey presented in class, what percentage of
psychologists /psychiatrists had generated a criminal profile?
a. Is this likely to over-estimate or under-estimate the actual
percentage of psychologists who have generated a criminal profile?
Why? Ans✓✓✓ 10.9%
Based on the General Electric v Joiner, who functions as the gatekeeper
of expert testimony? Ans✓✓✓ Trial judge
Define Risks, Needs, and Responsivity Ans✓✓✓ Risks: Maximum
treatment for those offenders who are at greatest risk for re-offending
(Criminogenic) Needs: criminogenic needs, which involve the reasons
an individual commits a crime
What are some examples of criminogenic needs?
Responsivity: Providing the right treatment at the right level
Define syndrome evidence and identify the problems with this type of
evidence. Ans✓✓✓ Set of symptoms that occur together in a
meaningful way and normally have a triggering event
Generally lack empirical support
,Typically based on clinical experience, not on research
High number of false positives
Describe the criteria for the following standards for admissibility of
expert testimony
a. Frye Standard
b. Federal Rules of Evidence
c. Daubert Standard Ans✓✓✓ Frye v US (1923)
Specific testimony admitted if generally accepted by scientific
community
Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993)
Scientific testimony admitted if relevant and reliable according to 4
potential criteria
General Electric Co vs Joiner (1997)
Trial judge is gatekeeper for admission of scientific evidence
Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. V Carmichael (1999)
Prior rulings on admissibility of scientific testimony apply to technical
and specialized knowledge
Describe the empirically-supported factors that can increase or
decrease expert witness credibility Ans✓✓✓ Experts who testify
frequently
Experts who are not locally-based
Experts who have only testified for defense
, Experts who do not actively practice
Experts who were paid $$$$$
Describe the theoretical factors that can increase or decrease expert
witness credibility Ans✓✓✓ Characteristics that increase credibility:
Dressing professionally
Maintaining good eye contact with the jury
Projecting voice
Demonstrating composure in the adversarial context
Characteristics that decrease credibility:
Excessive amount of time testifying (giving long-winded answers)
Testifying on issues outside of expertise
Lack of knowledge about current case
Inconsistencies
Using improper scientific methods
Do the Frye and Daubert Standards impact the outcomes of cases
differently? Ans✓✓✓ Frye v US (1923)
Specific testimony admitted if generally accepted by scientific
community
Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993)
answers
According to the survey presented in class, what percentage of
psychologists /psychiatrists had generated a criminal profile?
a. Is this likely to over-estimate or under-estimate the actual
percentage of psychologists who have generated a criminal profile?
Why? Ans✓✓✓ 10.9%
Based on the General Electric v Joiner, who functions as the gatekeeper
of expert testimony? Ans✓✓✓ Trial judge
Define Risks, Needs, and Responsivity Ans✓✓✓ Risks: Maximum
treatment for those offenders who are at greatest risk for re-offending
(Criminogenic) Needs: criminogenic needs, which involve the reasons
an individual commits a crime
What are some examples of criminogenic needs?
Responsivity: Providing the right treatment at the right level
Define syndrome evidence and identify the problems with this type of
evidence. Ans✓✓✓ Set of symptoms that occur together in a
meaningful way and normally have a triggering event
Generally lack empirical support
,Typically based on clinical experience, not on research
High number of false positives
Describe the criteria for the following standards for admissibility of
expert testimony
a. Frye Standard
b. Federal Rules of Evidence
c. Daubert Standard Ans✓✓✓ Frye v US (1923)
Specific testimony admitted if generally accepted by scientific
community
Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993)
Scientific testimony admitted if relevant and reliable according to 4
potential criteria
General Electric Co vs Joiner (1997)
Trial judge is gatekeeper for admission of scientific evidence
Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. V Carmichael (1999)
Prior rulings on admissibility of scientific testimony apply to technical
and specialized knowledge
Describe the empirically-supported factors that can increase or
decrease expert witness credibility Ans✓✓✓ Experts who testify
frequently
Experts who are not locally-based
Experts who have only testified for defense
, Experts who do not actively practice
Experts who were paid $$$$$
Describe the theoretical factors that can increase or decrease expert
witness credibility Ans✓✓✓ Characteristics that increase credibility:
Dressing professionally
Maintaining good eye contact with the jury
Projecting voice
Demonstrating composure in the adversarial context
Characteristics that decrease credibility:
Excessive amount of time testifying (giving long-winded answers)
Testifying on issues outside of expertise
Lack of knowledge about current case
Inconsistencies
Using improper scientific methods
Do the Frye and Daubert Standards impact the outcomes of cases
differently? Ans✓✓✓ Frye v US (1923)
Specific testimony admitted if generally accepted by scientific
community
Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993)
