MENTAL COMPETENCY AND DANGEROUSNESS
Mental health professionals are frequently consulted when questions arise as to whether a person is mentally competent. In the medical setting, psychiatrists and psychologists are called on to determine if a patient is competent to consent to or refuse essential medical treatment. In forensic situations, psychiatrists and psychologists are asked whether a person is mentally fit to stand trial or to sign legal documents, such as a will. The first half of this chapter addresses these issues, which are the most commonly asked questions pertaining to mental competence. The second half focuses on the prediction of violence, which is a premium challenge you face when evaluating dangerous offenders.
"Does he know the trouble he's in?"
A person is said to be mentally competent to stand trial if he or she can reasonably understand the legal proceedings and can consult with his or her attorney. When there are doubts about a defendant's competency to stand trial, the court will order an examination by a qualified clinician. Empirical research indicates that competency evaluations are typically highly reliable ( Melton et al., 1987). Competency examinations are usually performed in a forensic