The Institute provides forensic psychological consultation and evaluation services for a range of criminal and civil cases, referred to the clinic by judges and attorneys throughout Virginia and other states. We conduct evaluations for both criminal and juvenile court, subsequent to a range of offenses (e.g., capital murder, homicide, stalking, robbery, sexual assault, and property crime).
Some common referral questions in criminal cases involve:
- Competence to stand trial
- Competence to make decisions and waive rights
- Sanity at the time of the offense
- Sentencing issues in capital and non-capital cases
- Sex offender evaluations, including risk assessments for sexual violence
- Suggestibility and coercion
- Threats of violence
- Violence risk assessment
The clinic also provides assessment and consultation related to civil litigation. These evaluations typically involve assessment of personal injury, trauma, or related issues. We also address questions related to professional practice.
Director of psychology Dr. Daniel Murrie, and other forensic evaluators at ILPPP, are active researchers and educators as well as clinicians. Thus, in addition to performing evaluations, we may provide educational consultation to attorneys and agencies regarding the state of research, or best practices, related to forensic psychology. For example, we have provided research reviews and "teaching expert" consultation for topics such as: best practices in sex offender and violence risk assessments, the role (and limits) of psychopathy assessment, and psychological assessment in juvenile justice contexts.