Case Study Mr Bumble's Mental State
Evaluations
In addressing the issues of competency and overall mental state, the evaluating practitioner used a myriad of tests. Discussing these based on the purpose of the case study will help simplify matters. With the primary referral question in this instance was whether Mr. Bumble is competent to stand trial, the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Criminal Adjudication. This is a tool specifically designed to assess and measure a defendant’s understanding, reasoning and appreciation of charges and court processes (Poythress, Nicholson, Edens, Bonnie, Monahan & Hoge, 1999). As relying on any one tool is neither practical nor ethical, the Wechsler Memory Scale, Bender Visual Motor, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale served to form …show more content…
Bumble’s mental state and history, the practitioner utilized the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index- 2 (MMPI-2) as well. The MMPI-2’s ability to assess emotional disorders and personality patterns and subsequently holds a variety of clinical and forensic applications (Butcher, Dahlstram, Graham, Tellegen & Kaemmer, 1942). In the context of this case study, results from this test help the practitioner evaluate psychological stability and aid in the diagnosis of disorders that could influence Mr. Bumble’s competency. This includes the potential of malingering symptoms to further his defense (Butcher et al, 1942). For similar reasons Dr. Sluth also gave Mr. Bumble a Rorschach test to assess for personality and emotional disturbances (Zulliger H, Davis J, Davidson H, et al, n.d.). This test may also work as a trust-building exercise. As with any forensic psychology evaluation, Dr. Sluth utilized the Hare Psychopathy Checklist interview for potential antisocial personality disorders and risk assessment (Hare, 1990). Finally, to address the judges question of the defendant’s prognosis, the practitioner used the Personality Assessment Inventory to gather more information regarding diagnosis and treatment possibilities (Morey,
In addressing the issues of competency and overall mental state, the evaluating practitioner used a myriad of tests. Discussing these based on the purpose of the case study will help simplify matters. With the primary referral question in this instance was whether Mr. Bumble is competent to stand trial, the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Criminal Adjudication. This is a tool specifically designed to assess and measure a defendant’s understanding, reasoning and appreciation of charges and court processes (Poythress, Nicholson, Edens, Bonnie, Monahan & Hoge, 1999). As relying on any one tool is neither practical nor ethical, the Wechsler Memory Scale, Bender Visual Motor, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale served to form …show more content…
Bumble’s mental state and history, the practitioner utilized the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index- 2 (MMPI-2) as well. The MMPI-2’s ability to assess emotional disorders and personality patterns and subsequently holds a variety of clinical and forensic applications (Butcher, Dahlstram, Graham, Tellegen & Kaemmer, 1942). In the context of this case study, results from this test help the practitioner evaluate psychological stability and aid in the diagnosis of disorders that could influence Mr. Bumble’s competency. This includes the potential of malingering symptoms to further his defense (Butcher et al, 1942). For similar reasons Dr. Sluth also gave Mr. Bumble a Rorschach test to assess for personality and emotional disturbances (Zulliger H, Davis J, Davidson H, et al, n.d.). This test may also work as a trust-building exercise. As with any forensic psychology evaluation, Dr. Sluth utilized the Hare Psychopathy Checklist interview for potential antisocial personality disorders and risk assessment (Hare, 1990). Finally, to address the judges question of the defendant’s prognosis, the practitioner used the Personality Assessment Inventory to gather more information regarding diagnosis and treatment possibilities (Morey,