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Dissertation
Answering the ultimate legal question: a survey of lawyers and psychologists
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
01 May 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6377
Abstract
There is no clear consensus among forensic mental health experts regarding whether and when ultimate issue opinions (i.e., those opinions that directly answer a legal question) should be offered in forensic mental health reports. Although lawyers and other legal actors are often cited as having a strong preference for ultimate issue opinions, these views have not been directly compared to those of mental health experts. This study examined lawyers' and psychologists' beliefs about ultimate issue opinions in juvenile and adult contexts using an experimental survey design. Data from 186 participants revealed that these two professions approach forensic mental health reports in different manners. Although both professions viewed the appropriateness of ultimate issue opinions similarly, lawyers had a preference for ultimate issue opinions in all cases. Regarding context, ultimate issue opinions in juvenile cases were identified by both professions as less appropriate than ultimate and penultimate opinions offered in an adult criminal context. Future research may focus on obtaining data involving a more thorough forensic mental health report, comparing additional contexts, and obtaining a wider sample that includes judges and potential jurors as well. Implications concerning the relationships between lawyers and retained mental health experts and the use of ultimate issue opinions in juvenile and adult contexts are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Answering the ultimate legal question
- Creators
- Lindsey Peterson - DU
- Contributors
- Naomi E. Goldstein (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6377; 991014632302504721