discussion

 

Michaela Saunders

Apr 23 9:12pmManage Discussion by Michaela Saunders

Reply from Michaela Saunders

The psychiatrist who was treating the movie theater killer, James Holmes had the media blow up in her face after her name was released (she suspected an attorney) and was targeted and threatened for not stopping him despite conflicting evidence he was a potential threat (Dr. Lynne Fenton & Droban, 2022). The case ultimately ended up ending her career in the field of psychiatry and left her the decision to pack up and leave for good to a quieter isolated area. Even after writing her book explaining her findings and explaining what really happened vs. what the media was spitting out, she still chose to leave the field for good after her face and reputation was tarnished and smeared all over the place.

Forensic psychologists must provide accurate and reliable testomonies for recommendations for cases that could influence the judge’s decision of how the case goes. Considering the judge and attorney are not the experts, what comes out of the expert’s mouth is taken and thought over. If the info is wrong, it could lead to severe consequences such as executing someone who was in the state of psychosis during the crime or the wrongful recommendation in a child abuse case (Zwartz, 2018). 

Considering forensic psychology deals with real people, victims, and defendants who are impacted, criminally responsible, or legally insane, it’s not a responsibility that can be dismissed with a few “oops”. An expert’s testimony isn’t for show or a threat to the defendant or just there for an explanation. An expert’s job is to bring facts and research incooperated in the case for the judge and/or jury to listen to and make a decision based off the evidence present. 

References: 

Dr. Lynne Fenton, & Droban, K. (2022). Aurora. Penguin.

Zwartz, M. (2018). Report Writing in the Forensic Context: Recurring Problems and the Use of a Checklist to Address Them. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 25(4), 578–588. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2018.1473172

‌

• Reply to post from Michaela SaundersReply
• Mark as UnreadMark as Unread

Criminal JusticePSYC