Forensic neuropsychology in criminal contexts: foundations, incremental validity, and applications to criminal responsibility evaluations.

Abstract

The subspecialty of forensic neuropsychology has expanded considerably over the past two decades, along with increasing involvement of neuropsychological assessment in criminal forensic evaluations. Despite this growth, the role of neuropsychology in criminal responsibility (CR) evaluations remains underexamined. This paper (a) outlines the foundational importance of specialized knowledge in forensic neuropsychology as a basis for subspecialty development; (b) examines the potential incremental validity of neuropsychological data in CR evaluations; (c) analyzes the application of neuropsychological findings to key components of CR legal standards; (d) extends this analysis to broader exculpatory doctrines; and (e) frames these discussions in ways that inform multiple forensic stakeholders, including neuropsychologists engaged in forensic practice, forensic psychologists consulting with neuropsychologists, and trainees pursuing integrated training across forensic psychology and neuropsychology.