FB Temp

In this episode of Forensic Briefs, Dr. Reid Meloy returns to examine threat assessment and management through the development and application of the TRAP-18. He discusses proximal warning behaviors, distal risk factors, time-sequencing of violent pathways, and emerging research using artificial intelligence in forensic risk assessment. The conversation also analyzes the Capital Gazette mass murder, highlighting failures in threat management and the critical warning sign of attackers “going dark” before violence.

Dr. Terry Kukor explains how relevancy-focused reports shift forensic writing from procedure-based sections to findings-based answers. Learn practical filters for what belongs in a report, how to reduce cognitive strain, and why addressing disconfirming data strengthens credibility.

Dr. Terry Kukor explains how relevancy-focused reports shift forensic writing from procedure-based sections to findings-based answers. Learn practical filters for what belongs in a report, how to reduce cognitive strain, and why addressing disconfirming data strengthens credibility.

Dr. Stanley Brodsky joins us for part two of our deep dive into expert testimony, offering practical guidance on communicating clearly, handling challenging attorneys, and maintaining professional credibility in court. He discusses psychological influences on juror decision-making, the pitfalls evaluators face when testifying, and how experts can prepare ethically and effectively. This episode provides a grounded, experience-driven look at what truly matters when mental health professionals enter the courtroom.

Sharon Kelley, J.D., Ph.D., joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the national competency crisis, rising incompetence rates, and how states handle misdemeanor defendants. She explores statutory variations, system pressures, and how mental health, houselessness, and limited resources drive this growing 

Sharon Kelley, J.D., Ph.D., joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the national competency crisis, rising incompetence rates, and how states handle misdemeanor defendants. She explores statutory variations, system pressures, and how mental health, houselessness, and limited resources drive this growing challenge.

Andi Brierley joins Forensic Briefs to discuss his journey from incarceration to academia, exploring how lived experience informs desistance, peer mentorship, and rehabilitation. He highlights the power of credibility, connection, and rethinking “peer” roles in justice reform.

Andi Brierley joins Forensic Briefs to discuss his journey from incarceration to academia, exploring how lived experience informs desistance, peer mentorship, and rehabilitation. He highlights the power of credibility, connection, and rethinking “peer” roles in justice reform.

Professor Raquel Aldana joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the role of trauma, truth, and narrative in immigration law. She examines how forensic evaluations and storytelling shape asylum outcomes and why culturally sensitive, trauma-informed practices are essential.

Professor Raquel Aldana joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the role of trauma, truth, and narrative in immigration law. She examines how forensic evaluations and storytelling shape asylum outcomes and why culturally sensitive, trauma-informed practices are essential.

Professor Raquel Aldana explores how trauma and law intersect in the immigration system, examining how legal processes can both harm and heal—and how forensic mental health evaluations are reshaping justice for displaced and marginalized communities.

Professor Raquel Aldana explores how trauma and law intersect in the immigration system, examining how legal processes can both harm and heal—and how forensic mental health evaluations are reshaping justice for displaced and marginalized communities.

Dr. Michael Chafetz is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in New Orleans. He specializes in the validity of Social Security disability exams, especially in low-functioning claimants, and frequently serves as a court-appointed expert in litigated matters. His experiences, including a Daubert challenge related to record reviews, led to his co-authorship of an international AACN best practices article on reviewing records. He also conducts FAA evaluations and licensing board assessments for professionals in high-stakes roles. 

Dr. Michael Chafetz, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, explores the role of record reviews in forensic neuropsychology. He discusses how a Daubert challenge inspired him to co-author an AACN best practices article on the topic. The conversation highlights the importance of scientific rigor when conducting evaluations without direct examination, and how such practices can withstand legal scrutiny. Dr. Chafetz also shares his experience in Social Security disability, FAA, and licensing board evaluations. 

Andrew M. Smith, Associate Professor at Iowa State University, studies memory, judgment, and decision-making—especially in legal contexts like eyewitness ID and deception. His research blends computational modeling and behavioral experiments and is widely published and federally funded. 

Dr. Andrew Smith, Associate Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Iowa State University, delves into his research on eyewitness identification and the broader intersection of psychology and the legal system. He explains how memory and judgment affect decision-making and highlights his recent work on the importance of “inconclusive” eyewitness reports. With funding from major organizations and over 30 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Smith offers a compelling look at the psychological factors influencing justice and forensic science. 

Dr. Lisa Drago explores the growing role of social media in forensic mental health evaluations. She discusses ethical considerations, challenges in interpretation, and the impact of online behavior on credibility, diagnosis, and risk assessments, offering valuable insights for professionals navigating this evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Lisa Drago explores the growing role of social media in forensic mental health evaluations. She discusses ethical considerations, challenges in interpretation, and the impact of online behavior on credibility, diagnosis, and risk assessments, offering valuable insights for professionals navigating this evolving digital landscape.

Dr. Lizzy Foster and Dr. Sharon Kelley discuss the ethical and legal challenges of providing feedback in forensic mental health assessments, offering a practical framework to help evaluators balance transparency, respect, and professional responsibilities.

Dr. Lizzy Foster and Dr. Sharon Kelley discuss the ethical and legal challenges of providing feedback in forensic mental health assessments, offering a practical framework to help evaluators balance transparency, respect, and professional responsibilities. 

Dr. Julie Goldenson joins us to explore how trauma-informed principles can enhance forensic mental health assessments. Drawing from her 2022 article, she discusses the ethical tensions evaluators face, how complex trauma shapes behavior, and why therapeutic jurisprudence offers a framework for minimizing harm. Dr. Goldenson explains how empathy, cultural awareness, and transparency can improve assessments—without compromising objectivity or forensic integrity.

Dr. Julie Goldenson joins us to explore how trauma-informed principles can enhance forensic mental health assessments. Drawing from her 2022 article, she discusses the ethical tensions evaluators face, how complex trauma shapes behavior, and why therapeutic jurisprudence offers a framework for minimizing harm. Dr. Goldenson explains how empathy, cultural awareness, and transparency can improve assessments—without compromising objectivity or forensic integrity. 

Dr. Dave DeMatteo joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the history, revisions, and unexpected legal power of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. From their origins to future updates, he unpacks the ethical and legal stakes facing forensic psychologists—and why guidelines that were never meant to be enforceable, sometimes are. 

Dr. Dave DeMatteo joins Forensic Briefs to discuss the history, revisions, and unexpected legal power of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. From their origins to future updates, he unpacks the ethical and legal stakes facing forensic psychologists—and why guidelines that were never meant to be enforceable, sometimes are. 

Dr. Maaike Helmus discusses risk assessment in child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) cases, highlighting research challenges, tool validation issues, and recent debates around the CPORT. She explains how practitioners can responsibly navigate evolving science in high-stakes forensic contexts. 

Dr. Maaike Helmus discusses risk assessment in child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) cases, highlighting research challenges, tool validation issues, and recent debates around the CPORT. She explains how practitioners can responsibly navigate evolving science in high-stakes forensic contexts. 

In this episode, Professor Aliza Kaplan, director of the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic at Lewis & Clark Law School, returns to discuss the impact of implicit racial bias in forensic science. Drawing on her co-authored paper Perpetuating the Presumption of Guilt, Kaplan explains how unconscious bias can influence forensic technicians, prosecutors, and even jurors—leading to wrongful convictions, especially among people of color. She outlines key reform efforts, including the importance of independent crime labs and blind testing methods. Through compelling real-world examples and deep systemic insights, Kaplan highlights the urgent need to rethink how science is applied in the courtroom and how we can move toward a more just and equitable legal system.