Forensic psychological assessment versus clinical assessment: Proposals and challenges for the future

The main aims of this theoretical study were to review and identify some developments that have a bearing on the effective use of psychological assessment in the court intervention, to adapt psychological terminology to the legal language, and to highlight the most relevant differences between the psychological clinical assessment and the forensic evaluation. The article deals with some assessment methods specific of the legal framework, such as the assessment of violence risk prediction or the evaluation of witness' credibility in the area of sexual abuse in children. It also addresses the problem of malingering control and detection of deception, which is an overriding issue in any type of forensic assessment. The scope and the limitations of forensic psychological reports are discussed, as well as the ethical issues involved in forensic assessment. Finally practical guidelines are suggested and implications of this study for future research in this field are commented upon.