|
Citation
|
Rohling ML, Meyers JE, Williams GR, Kalat SS, Williams SK, Keene J. Psychol. Inj. Law 2015; 8(3): 252-264. |
|
Abstract
|
The Meyers Neuropsychological Battery (MNB) is a neuropsychological assessment battery used to detect cognitive impairment caused by acquired brain injury.
RESULTS obtained by examinees given the MNB have been submitted as evidence in a judicial proceeding in cases involving traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other neurocognitive disorders. We provide an examination of the MNB when used with the Rohling Interpretive Method (RIM) through the lens of Daubert v. Merrell Dow (1993). Daubert established criteria to be applied by judges to determine who can provide expert opinions and what these experts are allowed to present to the triers of fact. Daubert has five criteria judges consider in their role as gatekeepers of an expert's testimony. These standards are utilized to ascertain if the expert's testimony is scientific, with particular focus on its reliability, validity, and relevancy. We report on the MNB-RIM's ability to withstand the rigors of a Daubert analysis, with each criterion addressed in sequence. To accomplish this task, we review the peer-reviewed literature that has tested each of the MNB components, as well as the utility of the battery in its entirety. The literature extends over the 20-year history that the MNB and the RIM have been in use in clinical and forensic assessments. Statistics regarding the MNB-RIM's error rate have been empirically derived in numerous publications. These factors have led to a "general acceptance" of the battery and the material. Our review is intended to provide users of the MNB-RIM with the information they will need to successfully defend against a Daubert challenge.
Language: en |