Forensic Assessment with the Millon Inventories » (1st Edition)

Joseph T. McCann, Psy.D., J.D., is a psychologist and attorney in Binghamton, New York whose clinical and forensic practice encompasses a range of criminal, civil, and family court matters. His numerous publications are in the area of personality assessment and forensic psychology. A Fellow of the Society for Personality Assessment and Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Examiners, Dr. McCann is frequently called upon as an expert witness. He also serves as a consultant examiner for the New York State Office of Professional Discipline and is on the staff of the Binghamton Psychiatric Center's Children and Youth Mobile Mental Health Team.

Frank J. Dyer, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., is a former member of the New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners and served as Chair of the Board's committee to develop guidelines for psychological evaluation in divorce/custody cases. He is currently in private practice in Montclair, New Jersey and serves as a consultant to a number of state agencies and professional boards.

This book outlines the various forensic applications of the Millon inventories, including the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) and the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). Mental health professionals involved as "expert witnesses" in legal cases increasingly rely upon these clinical assessment instruments to determine the presence of personality disorders and other forms of psychopathology. Integrating empirical research, forensic case studies, case law, and theoretical applications, Forensic Assessment with the Millon Inventories addresses legal and ethical considerations, guides professionals in the effective application of the Millon inventories in both civil and criminal cases, and offers guidelines for the preparation of courtroom testimony.

Eric J. Van Denburg

This book describes the rationale and usage of the Millon Clinical Inventories in forensic practice. The book includes nine chapters and provides an excellent overview of the psychometric, structural, and theoretical properties of the Millon Inventories. Forensic issues are amply discussed, and many case examples provide clear descriptions of the many ways forensic psychologists might use the Millon Inventories. The authors' purpose is to "outline specific methods for using these tests in forensic contexts;" because "in our forensic work, the Millon Inventories have shown themselves to be of great practical utility." These are worthy objectives because the use of the Millon Inventories and the practice of forensic psychological work have grown greatly over the past several years. The authors admirably succeed in their objectives; their clear and thorough work provides sophisticated coverage of legal and psychological domains. The book appears to have been designed for practitioners in clinical psychology with some degree of experience in both psychological testing and forensic work. Attorneys who consult or deal with forensic psychologists would appreciate this book, especially in the process of cross-examination. It is also possible that the book could be used in an advanced graduate class in forensic psychology. Given its clarity and pithiness, its descriptions of the Millon Inventories would be a useful source in any clinical psychology graduate objective assessment sequence. Several of the chapters offer concluding comments that are useful. Numerous tables and practical case examples are offered. The individual chapters are well organized with clear headings. They provideduseful information on validity cutting scores of the Millon Inventories that would be beneficial to students learning the inventories. The table of contents, reference list, and index seemed adequate. This is a clear and dense volume that is likely to be used by forensic psychologists interested in the Millon Inventories for several years to come. Those who have had some prior experience with the clinical applications of Millon's tests will probably find the book the most useful. The book would be challenging but satisfying to advanced students in clinical psychology. The authors' clarity of thought, empirical interests, legal savvy, and strong ethical base are to be commended. The book is a model text for an advanced, complex integration of forensic work and psychology.