| Dr. Hillman provides forensic psychological evaluations and expert testimony in areas of sentencing mitigation, fitness, insanity, coerced confessions, and risk for criminal or violent conduct, including sexual violence. See bio.
Located in Chicago, he has provided these services in federal and state courts in Illinois and Indiana. Contact Dr. Hillman.
Consultations and forensic training for lawyers and other groups are also provided. Presentations include:
Anatomy of a Psychological Evaluation
What to expect from a forensic evaluation, from the referral question to summary and recommendations. What are the considerations for standards of evidence, and how to know if the report is complete. How collateral information is used and what kinds of tests are used. This is a concise review of the content and form of an evaluation and report.
Mitigation
Mitigation evaluations and reports provide information about the defendant for consideration by the court in sentencing. Mitigating factors can influence the court in two areas; (1) consideration for supervised release and (2) downward departure in sentencing. Included in a mitigation evaluation is mental health information and recommendations for treatment as well as factors from the defendant’s background and specific factors related to the offense.
How Do We Determine Malingering?
An attractive, “easy out” for many violators is to fake mental illness—a ruse used to avoid consequences of behavior. Malingering can be hard to isolate within those who may be suffering from a mental illness, brain damage, and drug or alcohol dependence. There are tests and techniques for identifying malingering. This presentation offers a quick overview of the warning signs of malingering and the kind of psych evaluation that detects it.
Sex Offender Evaluations
In an emotionally charged field, evaluations for civil commitment are scrutinized by both defense and prosecution. This is an overview of actuarial tools, static and dynamic factors, and best practice standards associated with forensic evaluations of sex offenders.
Competency
Competency to stand trial and competency to waive Miranda rights involve knowledge and understanding of due process related to custody situations. Review of research and assessment tools that show how competency is related to age, I.Q., and experience.
Risk for Violence
The conflict between the need for prediction and the limitations of predictive accuracy make this controversial. Review of research and trends related to prediction of violence. How an evaluation is conducted, what tools are used, and how the results are presented to court.
Assessment for Psychological Damage
Often an important factor in civil proceedings, this outlines how a psychological evaluation can clarify damage in the context of the history of the individual being evaluated as well as the effects of the precipitating event.
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