Acquisition and Interpretation of Digital Information in Forensic Assessments

Despite the now ubiquitous presence of technology in everyday life, there is little written on the subject of personal digital data as it pertains to forensic mental health evaluations. Ethical concerns and limited consensus guidance on this issue have previously made it challenging to use this information in a responsible way. This Perspectives article elaborates on the different types of personal data that exist and the practical aspects of acquiring such information, including data location and legal considerations. Incorporation of personal digital information into the forensic assessment as a form of collateral information is discussed, along with the current state of the literature on technology use and its relationship to psychopathology and risk. Given the important role of technology in the life of the modern individual, deeper research into this topic will be necessary in the immediate future to establish practice standards for the safe and ethical use of digital information in both forensic and non-forensic mental health assessments.