Forensic Neuro-Psychology Crafted by-
Mebin Wilson Thomas
Assistant Professor
Department of Forensic Science
JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)
Introduction to Forensic Neuropsychology
Forensic Neuropsychology is a new and rapidly evolving subspecialty of clinical neuropsychology that applies neuropsychological principles and practices to matters that pertain to legal decision-making. Forensic neuropsychologists provide the trier of fact with specialized information regarding brain-behavior relationships. The neuropsychological examination may be used to assist in determining competency to stand trial, issues of responsibility for the crime, or in sentencing/mitigation criminal litigation.
The field of forensic neuropsychology is quite new and is rapidly evolving. Neuropsychology involves the research and understanding of brain-behavior relationships. It often involves an objective assessment of how brain abnormalities produce psychological effects. It also evaluates brain damage and brain disorders.
The testing is applied to the justice system using neuropsychological concepts, principles and assessment procedures. Often times, the court system will refer suspects and witnesses for forensic neuropsychological evaluations to determine neurocognitive impairments that might be directly associated with development disorders, or psychiatric or neurologic conditions. These types of evaluations provide the court system the objective information required to help make decisions in criminal and civil cases.
On
behalf of Sherlock institute of forensic science, we had a short interview with
Mebin Wilson Thomas and here is what he says to all the student community and
life time learners of forensic science.
1. First
of all, please share your experiences with us while crafting this amazing quiz?
what you wanted to impart on people?
Neuropsychology is considered to be the
one of the most interesting and innovative area in the field of psychology
which also has a lot of application in describing, explaining and predicting
criminal behaviour. When dealing with various theories of criminal behaviour,
we primarily focus onsociological and cultural theories and we hardly
concentrate on neuroscience perspectives which can provide a scientific outlook
and objectivity in explaining various aspect of criminal behaviour. My
intention through this quiz intends to equip students with necessary knowledge
and instill a scientific outlook towards criminal behaviour from a Neuroscience
perspective.
2. How
do you see the implication of neuropsychology in criminal investigation?
Neuropsychology is one of the most
promising fields in neuroscience. This branch of psychology holds tremendous
scope especially in the clinical, forensic, educational fields as well as in
the corporate world. Acquiring necessary knowledge on understanding and
improving brain functions can dramatically help novices intending to take their
career forward in this area. Many neurobiological abnormalities have been
reported in patients with violent and criminal behaviour. Strong associations
exist between aggressive/violent behaviour and brain dysfunction. Many studies
support an association between frontal lobe dysfunction and increased
aggressive or antisocial behaviour. Brain research suggests that deficits in
frontal lobe executive functions may increase the likelihood of future
aggression.
3. What is the scope of neuropsychology
in Indian and global Scenario?
Neuropsychology as a specialization
started in India approximately 40 years ago. The early years witnessed the use of
Western tools for assessing patients with organic brain damage. Subsequent
years saw the development of indigenous tools for use with the vast majority of
the Indian population and also a few Western tests adapted to suit the needs of
the unique Indian clients. The starting of the Neuropsychology unit at the
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore in
1975 resulted in changing of the course of training and practice of
Neuropsychology. The field of assessments has witnessed indigenous tests being developed,
while rehabilitation programs have brought about a decline in cognitive
deficits in several clinical conditions. Currently, work within the field of
neuropsychology has focused on child, geriatric, acquired brain injury, and
forensic populations with a development of unique rehabilitations to suit needs
of several clinical conditions. However, there are very few neuropsychologists
in the country, and only one nodal training center, which limits the
availability of training to the large population of the country.
With increasing number
of medico-legal cases, neuropsychologists are frequently required to engage in
forensic work. Most often the forensic work pertains to seeking financial
compensation for traumatic brain injuries following Road traffic accidents. The
experts are required to conduct a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment
to document current cognitive status of the patient of the client, to evaluate
the patient’s cognitive strengths and weakness, and competency to stand trial
in the court. The court also requests for the extent of cognitive disability in
terms of percentage of disability similar to physical disability. Expert opinion
for the same patient may be sought from other medical experts including Neurosurgeons,
Neurologist, and Psychiatrist for neurological and psychiatric opinion.
4. I really appreciate your time sir for giving us such insights into the subject and also for preparing such an engaging Quiz. What would be your message for the aspiring Forensic students?
I highly recommend the forensic students, especially aspirants of forensic psychology should put an effort to understand the basics of neuroscience and its application in unveiling the criminal behavior. Moreover, such candidates can take up online certifications pertaining to Neurosciences from Coursera, Udemy, Future Learn etc which can enhance their knowledge and skill in interpreting criminal behavior from a neuroscience perspective.