Forensic Assessments

A Forensic Psychological Risk Assessment is a type of psychological evaluation that assists with answering a specific legal question (e.g., informing sentencing, parole ineligibility, community supervision conditions, etc.). It includes a comprehensive psycho-diagnostic component, which evaluates an examinee's mental health symptoms and determines whether a DSM-5 diagnosis is warranted, and a comprehensive recidivism risk assessment component, which uses a combination of static/actuarial instruments and instruments that include dynamic risk factors to determine the likelihood that the examinee will re-offend.

The types of instruments employed depend on the nature of the examinee's criminal offending behaviour (e.g., general violence, sexual violence, domestic/intimate partner violence, etc.). The final report provides recommendations regarding the necessary supervision and treatment to reduce recidivism risk and to address mental health needs.

In addition to Forensic Psychological Risk Assessment, Dr. Kayfitz also offers consultation services to legal professionals who are seeking a review of another expert's assessment. This can include the provision of a written report outlining points of critique and/or assistance with the preparation of cross-examination questions for the purpose of identifying vulnerabilities in the clinical and/or risk formulation as well as any deviations from evidence-based practice.