#34 Certified Forensic Evaluators: Recognizing and Reporting the Many Nuances of Human Behavior

<p dir="ltr">Dr. Andrew Orf, partner of Lithia Forensic and Consulting LCC and a certified forensic evaluator, discusses:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Oregon began the certification for forensic evaluators in 2012 for fitness to proceed evaluations, and the courts now prefer Certified Forensic Evaluators for pre-adjudication services.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The level of nuance between evaluations, as it is combining the clinical perspective with the legal perspective. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The many clinical components to consider, such as neurocognitive conditions, personality disorders, or substance use. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Legal considerations for statutory evaluations are related to an individual’s intent. Evaluations are also conducted in order to determine if a person’s qualifying mental health disorder impacted their capacity to form intent.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The pressing need for more Certified Forensic Evaluators, as a lot of people are in correctional settings, and end up waiting for evaluations.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">When people are acutely ill, there are few, if any places to send them for help, as the bar for civil commitment in Oregon is very high.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rapid evaluations increase access, and timeliness in more rural areas, as the majority of certified evaluators are in the Portland, Eugene, and Salem areas. There is a collaborative effort between community mental health programs, district attorney, courts and the defense attorney to identify who needs a rapid evaluation.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Regular consultation with other evaluators is important for maintaining wellness as a clinici