Developing sensitivity to distortion: utility of psychological tests in differentiating malingering and psychopathology in criminal defendants

In a retrospective study, the accuracy of various psychological tests in distinguishing between those who were diagnosed as malingerers and those who were diagnosed as mentally ill was examined. Specifically, information about the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS), M Test, the Atypical Presentation Scale (AP) and the Rey 15-Item Memory Test (RMT) was examined in 66 men who had been hospitalized as incompetent to stand trial. Overall, results support the use of psychological testing in the detection of malingering of psychotic symptoms. Practical guidance on how to utilize psychological tests within the overall evaluation is provided.