Competence Gaining and Maintaining Competence This Standard

Competence Gaining and Maintaining Competence This standard for competence is essential given that forensic psychologists must keep abreast of developments in the field and ensure that their credentials are appropriate to the needs of the current population. Standards must be set for entrance to the profession, and once established the education of the forensic psychologist must be continual particularly given changes in understanding of mental disorders (such as the biological as well as the sociological causes of violence).

Relationships ,2 Multiple Relationships Guidelines are provided as to what constitutes a 'multiple' relationship given that forensic psychologists must avoid all conflicts of interest when dealing with clients. Particularly in the field of criminal justice, aspersions upon objectivity can have serious consequences. This standard defines what constitutes a 'multiple' relationship (joint, potentially conflicting obligations such as a previous professional relationship with someone the psychologist is assessing) and the need to ensure that roles and responsibilities do not conflict.

Confidentiality and Privilege 10.0.4 Use of Case Materials in Teaching, Continuing Education, and Other Scholarly Activities Forensic psychology is a practical discipline and there is an understandable need and desire to use 'real life' materials in the dissemination of knowledge. However, the desire to use a case study must not undercut the rights of the individual patient.

If a forensic psychologist works on an interesting case 'in the field' he or she cannot automatically use that knowledge in the classroom, without taking appropriate measures to ensure the confidentiality of the subjects is maintained. This is particularly important given that an instructor is a role model for his or her students, as well as has ethical responsibilities to the institutions and people for whom he or she has worked.

Methods and Procedures 11.02 Use of Multiple Sources of Information Given the far-reaching potential consequences of forensic psychological diagnoses (for example, a forensic psychologist may decide whether an inmate is legally 'sane' enough to stand trial and participate in his or her own defense), it is vital that multiple sources of information are used when making decisions. The discipline of psychology has repeatedly affirmed the principle that there is no singular truth, merely a series of versions.

Personal, past biases of the psychologist him or herself, observer bias, social prejudices, or the simple fact that viewing someone may differ from day-to-day and context to context requires the forensic psychologist to deploy multiple sources of information in his or her analysis for ethical and practical reasons. Public and Professional Communications 13.02 Differentiating.