Frequently Asked Questions

Forensic psychology is the application of clinical psychology to the legal setting. Please see the links in the Resources page for more information.

It is a specific evaluation tailored towards answering a specific psycho-legal referral question such as whether a person is fit/competent to stand trial. Please see the Services page for other evaluation types.

The goal of forensic evaluations are to provide information about how the person is functioning psychologically to the referring agency. These evaluations are not for the purpose of treatment/counseling and the confidentiality may have fewer legal protections. Technically, the referring agency is the client, and the results of the evaluation may or may not be helpful to the person being evaluated. Regardless of the referral source or fees, the evaluators operate independently and the recommendations/opinions are offered in an ethical, unbiased, and professional manner using best practices that may not result in the desired outcome.

Before even meeting the person, there is the review of documents that typically includes court materials or mental health treatment records. While meeting with the person, a mental status exam, interviews, and psychological tests may be conducted. A person may also be asked to sign a release of information for their mental health or medical records. After meeting with the person, tests are scored/interpreted and the results of the interview, tests, and records are compiled into a comprehensive report.

Forensic evaluations are typically longer than traditional psychological assessments and may range from 2 to 12+ hours depending on a variety of factors that may include the presentation of the individual, referral question, complexity of the case, need for testing, amount of records, and other issues. Breaks may be taken or the evaluation may be conducted across several sessions.

• Typically, a court order outlining the type of evaluation, charging documents, and police reports are needed. 
• For sex offender/psychosexual risk evaluations, a criminal background check (NCIC/LEADS preferred) is required in addition to the above documents.
• If the referral is from a private attorney, the above documents and a signed service agreement will be needed. 
• For court ordered evaluations from contract attorneys in Iowa, in addition to the above materials, the following documents are needed: the attorney appointment order, application for evaluation, and order approving the evaluation with a maximum dollar amount approved.
• Pre-Trial Services Interviews with a criminal background check and treatment records may be helpful and they can be included in the referral packet. 
• Please feel free to contact us with specific questions about what documents to include in the referral as this can limit the sending of potentially irrelevant material that may inflate the costs.
• Please note that document packets, USB/CD drives, or links to cloud based drives of the entire case discovery are generally not necessary and should not be sent unless directed by FPS staff.

Individuals are seen in order from the date of receiving all of the materials. Once all of the materials are received, the individual is added to the list. After all of the documents have been reviewed, then the case will be scheduled for an appointment. As each case is different, no precise timeline can be given, but typically an evaluator will reach out a week or two before to schedule the appointment. Emergency or expedited evaluations may be requested at an increased fee, but the time frame may not always be available.

If you are on psychiatric medications, a list of your current medications would be helpful. Prior psychological evaluations or psychiatric hospitalization records may be helpful as well. If you do not have these documents, then they can be obtained at the appointment by signing a release of information.

Yes, but you must be located within one of the states where the evaluator is licensed at the time of the evaluation. Sometimes it is necessary to meet with an individual in person (e.g., to administer certain tests), so distance based evaluation are not always an option. 

No, unlike traditional psychological services, forensic psychological evaluations are not conducted because of a medical need, and thus, are not covered by insurance.

No, unfortunately at this time, we only have the capacity for the activities outlined on the Services page.

Yes, when evaluations are not paid for and/or ordered by the court, we accept referrals by private attorneys upon completion of the service agreement as well as receipt of the retainer and referral documents. Referrals are not added to the list and subsequently seen until all of these aspects are received. 

Cases are billed on an hourly basis for all services provided in office (including, but not limited to, record review, interviews, testing, research, report writing, collateral interviews, attorney consultation, testimony preparation, and feedback), and for all time spent on the case outside of the office including travel from door to door. There are also charges for reasonable travel expenses (e.g., tolls, parking, car rental, hotel, mileage, non-refundable reservations, etc.), but not meals. 

In the case of private attorney referrals, a retainer is required and will be billed against as work progresses. There is no guarantee that the work in the case will be completed within the boundaries of the initial retainer as some cases will exceed the initial retainer fee. If the initial retainer is depleted, it will need to be replenished before additional work will be completed. Monies received in excess, but not used, will be refunded at the end of the involvement with the case. 

Actual costs of an evaluation are difficult to provide prior to the meeting of an individual. While estimates are provided, the final costs of the work product may be higher or lower based on a variety of factors including the presentation of the individual, referral question, complexity of the case, need for testing, amount of records, need for collateral interviews, and other issues.

The retaining attorney must directly provide payment as FPS does not accept payment from clients of the retaining attorney. If balances are not paid by the opposing party within 30 days of being billed, the retaining attorney agrees to be responsible for fees associated with depositions, teleconferences, meetings, and other expenses incurred at the request of the opposing parties. 

Yes, there is a charge for cancelled appointments including court hearings based on the amount of notice provided and amount of time scheduled. For more than one business day of notice (24 hours), there is no charge. However, for less or no notice, the amount of time reserved will be billed. Typical appointments may last as long as 2 or more hours.

Because forensic evaluations are meant to provide information to the referral agency, who is the client, and the evaluations are not for the purposes of treatment, the typical rules of confidentiality do not apply. Usually, the confidentiality is explained in the court order that may include distribution of the report to the judge, defense attorney, and prosecution. Sometimes, like in the case of sanity evaluations, the report is initially only provided to the defense attorney, but it may be disclosed to other parties (e.g., prosecution or judge) later, if the defendant and their attorney decide to use it the case. Evaluators are mandated reporters for child and elder/dependent adult abuse and sexual assault within jails/prisons (e.g., Prison Rape Elimination Act or PREA). Evaluators may also need to get other authorities involved during instances where individuals are determined to be a danger to themselves or others. 

We provide educational resources, workshops, and training to agencies upon demand through in-person or your preferred teleconferencing platform. Topics may include various psychological phenomena, psycho-legal concepts, evaluation types/methods/techniques, or other specialized topics upon request. Please see the Services page for topic ideas.

Yes, although the site is not accredited for internships by the American Psychological Association, undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning more about forensic psychology may interview for internship/externship/practicum learning opportunities. Please see the Contact page to send inquiries with a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae.