For the last decade, statistics show traumatic brain
injury (TBI) is a growing concern in our legal system. In an effort to
obtain data regarding the influence of neuropsychological expert
witness testimony in a criminal case, this study tested three
hypotheses. H1: The majority of jurors will vote not guilty, due to
mild head injury. H2: The jurors will give more credence to the
testimony of the neuropsychologist rather than the psychiatrist. H3:
The jurors will be more lenient in their sentencing, given the
testimony of the neuropsychologist-s testimony. The criterion for
inclusion in the study as a participant is identical to those used for
inclusion in the eligibility for jury duty in the United States. A chisquared
test was performed to analyze the data for the three
hypotheses. The results supported all of the hypotheses; however
statistical significance was seen in H1 and H2 only.
[1] Bay, E., & Bergman, K. (2006). Symptom experience and emotional
distress after traumatic brain injury. Care Management Journals, 7, 3-9.
[2] Golden, Z., & Golden, C. J. (2003). Impact of brain injury severity on
personality dysfunction. International Journal of Neuroscience, 113,
733-745.
[3] Iverson, G. L., & Lange, R. T. (2003). Examination of "Postconcussionlike"
symptoms in a healthy sample. Applied Neuropsychology, 10,
137-144.
[4] Ivkovic, S. K., & Hans, V. P. (2003). Jurors- evaluations of expert
testimony: Judging the messenger and the message. Law and Social
Inquiry, 28, 441-482.
[5] Langolis, J. A., Ruthland-Brown, W., & Wald, M. M. (2006). The
epidemiology and impact of traumatic brain injury. The Journal of
Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 21, 375-378.
[6] McLellan, T., Bishop, A., & McKinlay, A. (2010). Community attitudes
toward individuals with traumatic brain injury. Journal of International
Neuropsychological Society, 16, 705-710.
[7] McQuiston-Surret, D., & Saks, M. J. (2005). The testimony of forensic
identification science: What expert witnesses say and what factfinders
hear. Law and Human Behavior, 33, 436-453.
[8] Silver, J. M., & McAllister, T. W. (1997). Forensic issues in the
neuropsychiatric evaluation of the patient with mild traumatic brain
injury. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 9, 102-113.
[9] Simpler, A. H., & Parmenter, B. A. (2011). Can neuropsychological
assessment inform forensic evaluators- psycholegal opinions? Evidence
through a case report. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 11,
351-360.
[10] Slaughter, B., Fann, J. R., & Ehde, D. (2003). Traumatic brain injury in
a county jail population: Prevalence, Neuropsychological functioning
and Psychiatric disorders. Brain Injury, 17, 731-741.
[1] Bay, E., & Bergman, K. (2006). Symptom experience and emotional
distress after traumatic brain injury. Care Management Journals, 7, 3-9.
[2] Golden, Z., & Golden, C. J. (2003). Impact of brain injury severity on
personality dysfunction. International Journal of Neuroscience, 113,
733-745.
[3] Iverson, G. L., & Lange, R. T. (2003). Examination of "Postconcussionlike"
symptoms in a healthy sample. Applied Neuropsychology, 10,
137-144.
[4] Ivkovic, S. K., & Hans, V. P. (2003). Jurors- evaluations of expert
testimony: Judging the messenger and the message. Law and Social
Inquiry, 28, 441-482.
[5] Langolis, J. A., Ruthland-Brown, W., & Wald, M. M. (2006). The
epidemiology and impact of traumatic brain injury. The Journal of
Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 21, 375-378.
[6] McLellan, T., Bishop, A., & McKinlay, A. (2010). Community attitudes
toward individuals with traumatic brain injury. Journal of International
Neuropsychological Society, 16, 705-710.
[7] McQuiston-Surret, D., & Saks, M. J. (2005). The testimony of forensic
identification science: What expert witnesses say and what factfinders
hear. Law and Human Behavior, 33, 436-453.
[8] Silver, J. M., & McAllister, T. W. (1997). Forensic issues in the
neuropsychiatric evaluation of the patient with mild traumatic brain
injury. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 9, 102-113.
[9] Simpler, A. H., & Parmenter, B. A. (2011). Can neuropsychological
assessment inform forensic evaluators- psycholegal opinions? Evidence
through a case report. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 11,
351-360.
[10] Slaughter, B., Fann, J. R., & Ehde, D. (2003). Traumatic brain injury in
a county jail population: Prevalence, Neuropsychological functioning
and Psychiatric disorders. Brain Injury, 17, 731-741.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:49202", author = "Valene J. Gresham and MA and Laura A. Brodie", title = "Perspectives on Neuropsychological Testimony", abstract = "For the last decade, statistics show traumatic brain
injury (TBI) is a growing concern in our legal system. In an effort to
obtain data regarding the influence of neuropsychological expert
witness testimony in a criminal case, this study tested three
hypotheses. H1: The majority of jurors will vote not guilty, due to
mild head injury. H2: The jurors will give more credence to the
testimony of the neuropsychologist rather than the psychiatrist. H3:
The jurors will be more lenient in their sentencing, given the
testimony of the neuropsychologist-s testimony. The criterion for
inclusion in the study as a participant is identical to those used for
inclusion in the eligibility for jury duty in the United States. A chisquared
test was performed to analyze the data for the three
hypotheses. The results supported all of the hypotheses; however
statistical significance was seen in H1 and H2 only.", keywords = "Expert witness, jury decision, neuropsychology,
traumatic brain injury.", volume = "6", number = "11", pages = "2734-4", }