Coping with Psychiatric and Psychological Testimony

Sixth Edition

David Faust

This unique book documents the deficiencies of psychiatric and psychological evidence, and demonstrates how to cross-examine and challenge the expertise of psychiatrists and psychologists. The sixth edition of this classic is contained in one volume for the first time, and is a professional 'must have' for attorneys.

Coping with Psychiatric and Psychological Testimony

Sixth Edition

David Faust

Description

This highly effective guide is designed to help attorneys differentiate expert testimony that is scientifically well-established from authoritative pronouncements that are mainly speculative. Building on the foundation of Jay Ziskin's classic work, this updated text blends the best of previous editions with discussion of positive scientific advances in the field to provide practical guidance for experts and lawyers alike. Major contributors in the field summarize the state of the literature in numerous key areas of the behavioral sciences and law. Working from these foundations, the text provides extensive guidance, tips, and strategies for improving the quality of legal evaluations and testimony, appraising the trustworthiness of experts' opinions, and as follows, bolstering or challenging conclusions in a compelling manner. Distinctive features of this text include detailed coverage of admissibility and Daubert challenges, with unique chapters written by an eminently qualified judge and attorney; hundreds of helpful suggestions covering such topics as forensic evaluations, discovery, and the conduct of depositions and cross-examinations; and two chapters on the use of visuals to enhance communication and persuasiveness, including a unique chapter with over 125 model visuals for cases in psychology and law. More than ever, the sixth edition is an invaluable teaching tool and resource, making it a 'must have' for mental health professionals and attorneys.

Coping with Psychiatric and Psychological Testimony

Sixth Edition

David Faust

Author Information

David Faust, PhD is Professor of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island, with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University.

Coping with Psychiatric and Psychological Testimony

Sixth Edition

David Faust

Reviews and Awards

"Ever since its first edition in 1970, this book has led the way in demystifying the underpinnings of mental health 'expertise' for attorneys and in chastening would-be experts to demonstrate rigor in their work. Working closely with Mae Ziskin, David Faust has assembled a team of experts to produce a superb 2012 6th edition. The substantial single volume truly represents a classic reborn with the most recent and digestible information from A (admissibility of expert testimony) to Z (interpreting Z-scores). No civil litigator, criminal law, or divorce attorney will want to cross-examine a mental health expert without it. No competent clinician or behavioral scientist should dare to take the witness stand without referring to it." -- Gerald P. Koocher, PhD, ABPP, Associate Provost and Professor of Psychology, Simmons College

"This is the Sixth Edition of a classic work in the field of psychology and law. It is a compendium of ways that psychological testimony or expertise can be employed in criminal, civil or administrative courts, along with an expose of the procedures, strengths and weaknesses of each. In this sense, it is an invaluable resource for attorneys seeking to find the flaws underlying expert testimony. Even more important, it is a reference for any psychologist who plans on offering testimony, as it advises the psychologist on the choice of measures and procedures to employ, as well as what cross-examination questions to expect. It is an excellent and comprehensive book. Indeed, it has become The Bible of forensic psychology." -- Martin H. Williams, Ph.D., National Psychologist

"One bottom line is this: the book is the best reference source for any lawyer or judge who must consider mental state issues in adversary proceedings... Professor Faust (and an impressive set of scientists) have produced a must-have, reliable guide to worthwhile improvements in the field and to the work that remains to be done. This book belongs in the library of every lawyer who deals with psychiatric and psychological issue and in the offices of police agencies, schools and child care agencies, courthouse libraries and workman's compensation commissions and probably others as well." -- James B. Zagel, United States District Judge, Northern District of Illinois