Forensic Briefs

Dr. Jennifer Christman explores how human and systemic biases become embedded in artificial intelligence and why clinicians should resist overreliance on algorithmic conclusions. The conversation examines AI in violence risk assessment before turning to young people, social media, and the manosphere. Dr. Christman explains how recommender algorithms can normalize misogynistic beliefs and discusses how forensic psychologists may need to expand juvenile evaluations to better understand digital media, AI use, relationships, sexual attitudes, and online influences.

Artificial intelligence offers forensic psychologists intriguing new tools, but when does assistance become inappropriate delegation? Dr. Dana Formon examines lower- and higher-risk uses of generative AI, from proofreading and consultation-like applications to report writing, record review, assessment interpretation, and risk calculations. She discusses how psychologists can develop AI competence, evaluate tools, protect confidential information, document AI-assisted work, determine when disclosure is appropriate, and preserve independent professional judgment within a field subject to unusually high legal and ethical scrutiny.

Artificial intelligence is changing not only how forensic professionals work, but also how examinees, attorneys, and justice-involved individuals prepare for evaluations. Dr. Tallie Armstrong discusses how AI may influence symptom presentation, psychosexual and custody evaluations, digital risk, and emerging clims involving AI-related psychological harm. She also considers constructive applications, including individualized competency-restoration materials, courtroom visuals, social stories, and interactive learning tools, while emphasizing informed consent, privacy, documentation, professional judgment, and the limits of current technology.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering professional and personal life, but what does it mean for forensic psychology? Five board-certified forensic psychologists explain how generative AI and large language models work, why their responses may change, and how psychologists are beginning to use and evaluate these tools. The discussion addresses hallucinations, privacy, transparency, competency, copyrighted assessment materials, examinee use of AI, and whether AI-generated work can withstand courtroom scrutiny.

In this episode, Dr. Apryl Alexander discusses her path into forensic psychology and her work with justice-involved youth. The conversation explores polyvictimization, the abuse-to-prison pipeline, school discipline, racial disparities, trauma-informed treatment, and the limitations of focusing only on individual behavior. Dr. Alexander challenges forensic psychologists to consider children’s lived environments, systemic inequities, and opportunities for prevention and advocacy.

In this episode, Dr. Shoba Sreenivasan explores the complex intersection of military service, trauma, sexual offending, and forensic risk assessment. She discusses why veterans appear disproportionately represented among people incarcerated for sexual offenses, what is known and unknown about repeat offending, and how SVP recidivism research complicates assumptions about risk. The conversation also examines VA services, housing barriers, trauma-informed care, and cultural issues in forensic assessment.

In this episode of Forensic Briefs, Dr. Julie Goldenson explores aspirational forensic report writing, emphasizing growth mindset, self-awareness, consultation, and trauma-informed practices as foundations for ethical, high-quality forensic mental health work.

In this special host-led episode, Drs. Michelle Guyton and Alex Millkey discuss the rise of remote forensic psychological evaluations. They review the history of telehealth, summarize research on remote competency and psychiatric assessments, and present findings from their own Oregon-based study comparing in-person and remote fitness to proceed evaluations. The conversation explores benefits, limitations, unanswered questions, and practical considerations for clinicians navigating technology in forensic practice.

In this episode, Terry Kukor explores aspirational forensic practice and the role of consultation in strengthening forensic mental health work. He discusses what it means to “strive” under the Specialty Guidelines, emphasizing humility, curiosity, tolerance for uncertainty, empathy, and critical thinking. The conversation examines common impediments to high-level practice, the value of consultation in reducing bias and improving reasoning, and how thoughtful collaboration can help forensic clinicians continually grow while maintaining ethical and professional integrity.

James W. Mikesell, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist with over two decades of experience conducting specialized forensic evaluations and consultations in civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law cases. He is board certified in both forensic and rehabilitation psychology and currently serves as President of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Mikesell holds adjunct faculty appointments at Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University and is actively involved in national guideline development, professional mentoring, and forensic education.