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16 Behav. Sci. & L. 1 (1998)

handle is hein.journals/bsclw16 and id is 1 raw text is: Behavioral Sciences and the Law Behav. Sci. Law, 16, 1-3 (1998) Introduction to Integrating Research and Practice in Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry Joseph T. McCann, Psy.D., J.D. In his classic article on the efficacy of psychotherapy, Eysenck (1952) argued for the suspension of all training for therapists because of his findings that groups of untreated patients did as well, if not better than, those undergoing a course of psychotherapy. Since the publication of Eysenck's article, the past several decades have seen a tremendous growth in research into the process and outcome of various forms of psychotherapy (e.g., VandenBos, 1986). Indeed, Eysenck's data have been challenged by subsequent findings, but the field of psychotherapy outcome research has many unanswered questions. In fact, one prominent psychotherapy researcher commented: It is almost a truism that psychotherapy is a field beset with a multitude of problems that, unless remedied, may have extremely serious consequences in the foreseeable future (Strupp, 1986, p. 120). Since the publica- tion of Strupp's prophetic statement, managed care has had extremely serious consequences for the provision of mental health treatment; the need for research- based assessment and treatment is more pressing than ever before. Many of the above noted issues also have their parallels in forensic mental health services. For instance, there are those who have called for either restrictions (Dawes, 1994) or a complete ban on psychiatric expert testimony (Hagen, 1997), although the empirical and rational basis for this latter argument has been soundly criticized (Fulero, 1997). Moreover, several issues have caused considerable scientific, professional, and public debate in recent years over the use of psycho- logical and psychiatric principles to administer justice in our courtrooms. The legitimacy of repressed memories, appropriateness of the insanity defense, validation of childhood sexual abuse, and the validity of expert testimony in general (e.g., Faust & Ziskin, 1988; Fowler & Matarazzo, 1988) have all been at the center of this debate. Despite these concerns, there remains a strong value of empiricism that underlies the ethical practice of forensic psychology and psychiatry. Many peer- reviewed journals devoted to the interface between law and the behavioral sciences serve as outlets for studies that address sophisticated and complex psycholegal issues There have also been significant advances in important areas such as the suggestibility of child witnesses (e.g., Ceci & Bruck, 1995), assessment of malingering (e.g., Rogers, 1997), and risk assessment (e.g., Monahan & Steadman, * Correspondence to: Joseph T. McCann, Psy.D., J.D., 151 Leroy Street, Binghamton, New York 13905, USA. CCC 0735-3936/98/010001-03$17.50 ( 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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