This study suggests that removing four to six items when scoring the M-FAST could improve the accuracy and efficiency of identifying feigned psychiatric symptoms in forensic settings. Removing items frequently endorsed by individuals with genuine symptomatology and/or that poorly distinguish genuine from feigned presentations may reduce false positives and minimize unnecessary testing for individuals with severe mental illness.

Although the published literature is limited, there are a growing number of resources available for psychologists conducting evaluations for immigration proceedings. Psychologists should have adequate competence in clinical, forensic, multicultural, and trauma psychology before engaging in forensic mental health assessments for immigration proceedings and obtain a firm understanding of what is considered the standard of practice before engaging in such work.

Study findings provided preliminary support for using a 12-item modified version of the Problems in Everyday Living Test (PEDL) as a screening tool for poor adaptive functioning (AF) in correctional settings. A cutoff score of 13 in the PEDL was optimal to identify incarcerated individuals with deficits in AF, possible intellectual impairment, and a history of special education.

The findings indicate that the MMPI-2 validity scales and their MMPI-2-RF counterparts were similarly effective in differentiating genuine responders from those exaggerating or feigning psychiatric and medical symptoms. the F and Fp-r scales generated the largest effect sizes in identifying feigned psychiatric symptoms, while the FBS and RBS were better at detecting exaggerated medical symptoms. Findings are discussed in the context of the recently released MMPI-3.

The MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF discriminate underreporting of symptoms from honest responding with moderate classification accuracy. Hence, mental health professionals should exercise caution when making individual determinations about symptom minimization.

Although the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF have been translated into numerous languages and are widely used in forensic evaluations worldwide, this study found limited research examining symptom exaggeration or minimization on the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse populations. Despite the limited research base, some support was found for the utility of these tools, highlighting the need for additional research in diverse languages and cultures.

It is important to ensure that psychological tests can detect response distortion even when individuals may have been coached. This meta-analysis demonstrated that coaching individuals on test-taking strategies improved their ability to successfully feign psychiatric and medical symptoms; however, the MMPI-2 still adequately differentiated genuine responders from coached feigners.

This qualitative study advances our understanding of current practices and culturally specific risk and protective factors that Latin American forensic mental health professionals consider when evaluating sex offender recidivism risk. Participants reported limitations in accessing risk assessment tools in Latin America, limited training opportunities, and difficulties staying informed of advances in sex offender risk assessment.

This qualitative study is the first step toward developing a standardized method of providing culturally responsive violence risk assessment in Latin American countries. Participants reported a range of procedures for assessing violence risk, including the use of structured violence risk assessment tools, and most evaluators considered common risk factors. However, the findings suggest that there are several culturally relevant violence risk and protective factors that may have unique cultural interpretations and implications.