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Commentary: A road map for research in restoration of competency to stand trial
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. charles.scott@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Summary
Conducting research with pretrial defendants on competency to stand trial (CST) is challenging. This study offers a roadmap for future research in this difficult-to-access population.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Legal Medicine
Background:
- Researching pretrial defendants presents substantial challenges.
- Bertman et al. developed a research protocol for this hard-to-study population.
- The study utilized a validated competency to stand trial (CST) assessment instrument.
Discussion:
- Strengths include ongoing psychiatric status measurements (BPRS) and malingerer exclusion (APS scale of GCCT-MSH).
- Future research should incorporate structured diagnostic instruments and assess mild intellectual disability.
- Consideration of Certificates of Confidentiality from NIH is advised.
Key Insights:
- Evaluating defendants' factual and rational understanding of charges is crucial.
- Assessing the defendant's ability to consult with counsel is essential.
- The study provides a foundational roadmap for CST research in pretrial populations.
Outlook:
- Future studies should employ additional CST instruments for comprehensive evaluation.
- Describing legal charges and potential mild MR requires careful assessment.
- This work highlights directions and difficulties in CST research.