Question 1

The GBMI verdict is becoming more popular in all states.

Accepted Answer

The GBMI verdict is not universally accepted and in fact, some states have abolished it altogether.

Question 2

Discuss the Frye and Daubert standards and how they might affect the admissibility of psychological evidence.

Accepted Answer

According to the ruling from Daubert judges may consider the following factors when determining whether scientific evidence is admissible: 1)Has the technique been tested in actual field conditions? 2)Has the technique been subject to peer review and publication? 3)What is the known or potential rate of error? 4)Do standards exist for control of the technique's operation? 5)Has the technique been generally accepted within the relevant scientific community? In the Frye ruling it was held that techniques should be generally accepted by the corresponding scientific community.These standards may affect the admissibility of psychological evidence in many ways.For example methodologies and techniques used in social sciences such as psychology may be less apt to meet the criteria for Daubert particularly criteria 1 and 2 than other sciences.Additionally the general acceptance standard contained in both decisions may be difficult to prove or meet with psychological evidence as there is frequent controversy regarding the appropriate appli- cation of psychological techniques and what constitutes "general acceptance" is subjective and left open to interpretation.

Question 3

NGRI verdicts are rarely raised and rarely successful.

Accepted Answer

NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity) verdicts are typically raised in only a small percentage of criminal cases and are successful even less frequently. Studies have shown that less than 1% of criminal defendants use the NGRI defense and of those who do, less than 25% are successful.

Question 4

Most states employ some variation of the Dusky standard to form their jurisdictions' competency standards.

Accepted Answer

The Dusky standard is widely recognized as the test for determining a defendant's competency to stand trial and most states employ some variation of it as their competency standard.

Quiz 1: Adult Forensic Evaluation

The GBMI verdict is becoming more popular in all states.

Discuss the Frye and Daubert standards and how they might affect the admissibility of psychological evidence.

NGRI verdicts are rarely raised and rarely successful.

Most states employ some variation of the Dusky standard to form their jurisdictions' competency standards.