Forensic Assessments for Youth Justice
What is a forensic assessment?
Typically ordered by the court, a forensic assessment combines clinical psychology and forensic studies to evaluate the youth.
The purpose of these assessments is to better understand the mental health of the youth involved in these offences, as well as other factors that increase their risk of further conflict with the law. By doing this, the court is able to make more accurate decisions for the outcome of these legal cases. These assessments also provide solid groundwork in developing a plan to help these individuals overcome any mental health or behavioural concerns.
Why are youth forensic assessments important?
Youth crime is a matter of concern in Canada. According to the public safety portal of Canada, 37% of youth are reported to engage in one or more criminal behaviours in their lifetime. However, most youth do not end up being involved in the adult justice system, especially when the appropriate interventions are in place. The Risk Needs and Responsivity Model provides a framework for evaluating the needs of youth in conflict with the law and developing interventions to help reduce their risk of further conflict. It is important to evaluate the risk of continued criminal behaviour, their areas of need that contribute to this risk, and what interventions they will be most likely to respond to.
Understanding the psychological wellbeing of a youth can not only be crucial to determining the outcome of their case, but it can also be crucial in the recovery and improvement of their wellbeing. Other important factors to understand include: peer and family relationships; leisure activities/interests; substance use patterns; criminal attitudes; education/employment.
Youth forensic assessment process
Assessment services: Typically ordered by the court or requested by defense lawyers. Involves one-on-one sessions with the youth and psychologist, and interviews with collateral sources (e.g., parents, service providers, probation officers, etc.). It is the goal of these sessions to understand the state of the individual’s mental health and criminogenic risk.
Treatment services: Youth in conflict with the law may benefit from therapy sessions to help address mental health concerns as well as other criminogenic needs. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches and family therapy approaches to treatment have demonstrated success in support youth in conflict with the law.