Citation

McGuire J. Leg. Crim. Psychol. 1997; 2(2): 177-192.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, British Psychological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.2044-8333.1997.tb00342.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Purpose. The objective of this paper is to consider a series of ethical dilemmas that arise when psychologists attempt to combine working in a forensic capacity, gathering information which will facilitate a legal decision, with a clinical one, conducting assessment and providing psychological therapy.Arguments. Previous literature, including survey data which is available concerning ethical conflicts of psychologists, is briefly reviewed. The principles which underlie existing professional codes of ethics are briefly discussed. The nature of potential tensions and ethical dilemmas in the relationship between forensic and clinical work are considered in terms of a series of issues: (a) confidentiality and access to information; (b) the nature of the 'therapeutic alliance'; (c) multiple roles and relationships; (d) offering predictions of behaviour; (e) ethical standpoints and conflicts with the law.Conclusions. It is proposed that a common approach can be adopted to 'forensic' and 'clinical' roles of psychologists which does not eliminate but can considerably reduce the degree of potential conflict between them. This derives from the manner in which interviews with individuals are conducted, and rests on the adoption of a systematic approach which centres on the need for clarity in (a) the nature of information given to individuals, and (b) the ethical ground rules stated concerning how information obtained from them will be used.

Language: en