Automatic Neurocognitive Assessment in forensic context - forMINDS

Forensic Neuropsychology is a rather new and rapidly evolving field (Guilmette,
Faust, Hart & Arkes, 1990). An important aspect of the field of forensic
neuropsychology is the assessment of cognitive functions and informing the
relation between brain and behaviour. This should be grounded on scientific
methods for several reasons: Ideas and hypotheses about cognitive functions in
forensic populations can be systematically studied, findings can be replicated
and validated leading to an ever more evidenced based theory, with the goal of
finding a common standard. This process is therefore ongoing, leading to an
accumulation of validated and scientifically accepted information over time.
Cognitive assessment is important with respect to clinical issues such
as treatment options, risk assessment, etc. Understanding of cognitive
functions, the underlying neuronal substrate and the relationship with forensic
relevant behaviour is a prerequisite: Which cognitive functions are related to
aggressive behaviour; which functions predicts high relapse rates, which
treatment approach best meets the person*s cognitive abilities and constraints,
etc?
However, at this moment there is no standard for forensic
neuropsychological assessment. Furthermore, even though most forensic
psychiatric clinics use a standard intake procedure which include risk-,
psychiatric- and personality assessment, it commonly does not include a
standard neuropsychological/ cognitive assessment procedure. Most importantly,
norm scores for standard neuropsychological tests are rarely available for
forensic populations and little is known in how they should be interpreted with
regard to forensic relevant behaviour. Researchers are only beginning to
understand the relationship between cognitive functions and criminal behaviour.
The interpretation of traditional psychological tests is in need of new
normative data which better takes into account the specific characteristics
found in forensic patients.
In the following we will propose the development of a computerized
cognitive test battery for forensic assessment. This test battery will cover a
range of cognitive domains thought to be relevant to understanding criminal
behaviour. On the one hand this battery will be used to collect a large amount
of cognitive performance data from a general prison population, TBS-patients
(intramural and polyclinical) and control subjects. This will allow us to
develop normative data for forensic populations and to relate these to healthy
controls in order to answer relevant research questions concerned with the
underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of criminal behaviour. On the other hand
the battery will be used in the new standard assessment procedure of the
Pompekliniek.

The proposed research has several objectives:
1) By implementing a cognitive testbattery in a large population of forensic
psychiatric patients, a prison population and healthy controls, we will be able
to further develop and adjust the battery based on results and patterns found
with the help of these cognitive tests. This will ultimately lead to an
standard instrument
2) By collecting a large body of data in forensic psychiatric patients and
prison inmates, we will be able to
a) develop normative data relevant for the interpretation of testresults in
these population. Normative data from healthy controls is collected for the
same reason.
b) collect data for research into the neurocognitive differences between
certain subgroups (type of offence, type of diagnosis, etc) and healthy
subjects.
c) collection of data necessary for the assessment procedure implemented in
forensic psychiatric settings, which is also used for decisions around
treatment options. This also includes the possibility of retesting at a later
point in time, to evaluate the treatment.

The study has a cross-sectional design and will include several groups.

This research does not involve any risks for the participants.