Fe february 15

February

In This Issue

Greetings!

Psychological Assessment Immigration authorities face a particular set of challenges when welcoming asylum seekers into the United States. While many new citizens arrive needing safety and

Protocol For Asylum

refuge, it can be difficult for authorities to tell which asylum seekers are, in fact,

Applications in Federal

victims of persecution. Reuben Vaisman-Tzachor takes up the matter in this issue,

Immigration Courts

urging evaluators to prove asylum seekers' claims, forensic psychologists to remain unbiased, and experts to develop studies that will reveal the complexity of the challenges immigration authorities face. But the complexity of evaluation tools and protocol can cause ethical difficulties outside of immigration, too. In court cases, how do experts determine which patients and defendants are impaired? Mark Schroeder identifies a form of reasoning that can be used during medicolegal evaluations as a way to classify individuals as "disabled" or "not disabled," "sane" or "insane."

Clarifying and enhancing the methods used to decide these identifications will improve legal proceedings.

Improving Reasoning in Medicolegal Evaluations Member Profile...

Certified Criminal Investigator Certified Medical Investigator

Certified Forensic Consultant training @ ES23 ACFEI's Certified Forensic Consultant seminar

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taught by Dr. Paul Friedman will count for 6 Minimum Continuing Legal Education credits

Certification

from the State Bar of California at ACFEI's 23rd Executive Summit at the University of California in Santa Barbara. Participants attending the seminar and passing the exam will be eligible for the Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC designation and receive 6 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education credits. ACFEI is working with the State Bar of California to have the exam count for MCLE

Free Continuing Education (CE) To take CE's you will need your: ID: Password:

credit after conference and be available all year for CFC applicants. Register for the Executive Summit today! If you want to only attend the CFC seminar, test for the credential, and receive MCLE credits, contact Judy Simpson for inquiries at 800.423.9737 or email at judy@acfei.com for details.

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Articles

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Psychological Assessment Protocol For Asylum Applications in Federal Immigration Courts

Networking Share your social media links with us and we will share them with the organization in the

By: Reuben

Vaisman-Tzachor, PhD, FACFEI, DABPS,

FAPA

newsletter, on our social media sites, and on our website.

Email us at: editor@acfei.com

The unique challenge posed to immigration authorities by asylum applications creates a

Ask the Experts

demand for psychological evaluations to provide accurate assessment of asylum seekers and their claims of persecution. The psychological evaluation in asylum cases requires forensic psychology experts to become familiar with the terms and procedures used to adjudicate asylum applications, to understand the legal dilemmas faced by immigration authorities, and to know the standards governing the evidence provided by experts in federal courts. The protocol for psychological evaluations in asylum applications provides the court with evidence that demonstrates the validity of persecution claims made by asylum applicants and justification for the veracity of asylum seekers' claims, based on professional psychological assessment. It calls for forensic psychology experts to maintain unbiased perspectives and avoid ethical pitfalls, as well as develop a study that considers the questions relevant to the dilemma faced by immigration authorities for each unique case. Careful selection of tools and procedures will guarantee valid information is collected, and the outcomes of evaluations and opinions that develop must be recorded in written reports, which offer clear recommendations for immigration authorities to consider.

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About the Author: Reuben Vaisman-Tzachor, PhD, FACFEI, DABPS, FAPA, was born in Israel. He obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. He is currently an adjunct professor of clinical and forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. He is a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners International, a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialties, a Fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association, and is certified in Homeland Security Level III. He has conducted numerous studies and published on a diverse number of topics ranging from humananimal interaction, to psychological evaluations in federal immigration courts to

This month we ask our experts...

In the arena of practicing health care givers, one of the issues we face from insurance companies is IMEs. What is an IME? Answer: IME stands for "Independent Medical Examiner." It is supposedly an objective evaluation of the patient in question by an objective doctor.

In reality, the insurance companies are paying these doctors and the exams are brief and far from objective.

Answer from: Dr. Haberstrรถh is a private Chiropractic practitioner in Somerville/ Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology and the American Chiropractic Academy of Neurology, a Fellow in the American College of Forensic Examiners, a Certified Medical Investigator-Level 5, A Certified Forensic Consultant, and Certified in: Spinal Trauma/Sports Physician/Rehab/Insurance Consultation.

psychological profiles of terrorists, to name but a few. He currently owns and directs the Counseling Center of Santa Monica-A Psychological Corporation, which is a private practice organization in Santa Monica, California.

Improving Reasoning in Medicolegal

Referral Refer a member and receive $25.00 Member Bucks OR

Evaluations

Refer 3 member and receive a one year Free Renewal of your membership

Mark Schroeder M.D. 354 Warrenville Road Mansfield Center CT 06250 Mschroedermd1@aol.com

Looking to Hire Someone?

The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is

This paper presents a systematic approach to analysis in medicolegal evaluations in

always looking to help their

light of recent challenges within the type of reasoning that medical experts use. I

members find qualified help in

identify a form of reasoning that is used within a specific argumentation structure as

building their practice or

being the most appropriate to the goals of medicolegal evaluations. This approach to

business. Send the editor a

analysis addresses the legal system's need for well-supported opinions applied to

description of the professional

specific cases. It achieves the core task of medicolegal decision-making: to classify an

you are seeking to hire and

individual as one of two legal categories, "disabled" or "not disabled," or "sane" or

ACFEI will put the announcement

"insane".

in its newsletter. Please specify if you prefer your potential highers

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to hold CCI, CFC, or any other certifications.

TAKE CE HERE

Email the editor at editor@acfei.com

About the Author:

New Members Mark Schroeder, M.D., is a psychiatrist with an office in Mansfield Ctr., Connecticut. He received his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He has extensive experience in psychiatric disability assessment and has done work in other civil and criminal forensic disciplines. He is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners International, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the Vidocq Society.

Member Profile Scott Tucker

All new members of ACFEI and certifications issued by ACFEI can be viewed HERE. Thanks for joining, and welcome to The Forensic Examiner.

Looking for Submissions As always we are looking for regular content for The Forensic Examiner. If there is anything you would like to submit please

Scott Tucker, ACFEI Diplomate and Certified Forensic Consultant, is an independent digital forensic examiner in Salt Lake City, UT. The founder and president of Aptegra Consulting, Mr. Tucker also teaches digital forensics at the University of Utah in the MSIS program. Scott has been in the personal computer industry since the very early days of the IBM PC, having worked for Lotus Development in the 1980s as the product manager for the venerable Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet.

contact us.

Go HERE for submission guidelines.

Or email us, editor@acfei.com

Visit our Sister Organizations

Member Highlights Bradford County (Pa.) Coroner

American Association of

Jeffrey R. Conner

Integrative Medicine

TROY BOROUGH, Pa. - Bradford County (Pa.) Republican Thomas M Carman of Troy Borough has announced that he is seeking re-election as the Bradford County Coroner. Carman this week

American Psychotherapy Association

released the following written statement:

Thomas M Carman has announced his candidacy for a third term as Bradford County Coroner. Carman has served with the Bradford County Coroner's office for the past fifteen years. Carman first became certified in 1999 by the Office of Attorney General and Coroner's Education Board by attending the Pa. State Police Academy in Hershey, Pa., participating in the Coroner's Education Course. Carman attended Corning Community College for paramedicine. Carman has been practicing street medicine for

American Board for Certification in Homeland Security

the past 32 years and serves as the Executive Director/CEO for Western Alliance Emergency Services, Inc. Carman is a Certified Medical Investigator through the American Board of Forensic Medicine. Carman passed his American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators board examination in Nevada in 2009, and is now a board certified Medicolegal Death Investigator. Carman participated at St. Josephs University in Philadelphia, Pa., completing Advanced Topics in Forensic Science;

Members in the News

Investigating Religious and Ritualistic Crime. Carman is certified in Advanced Practical Homicide Investigation, and remains a member of the Pa. Homicide Investigators Association.

Were you in the news?

Send ACFEI a press release or publication of your involvement in

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a forensic related event to the editor@acfei.com

Featured Certifications Certified Criminal Investigator

Announcement Recertification policies are being strengthened for all American College of Forensic Examiners Institute certifications. All new and current certifications and renewals will be for a three (3) year period. In compliance with third-party accreditation, the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute requires certification holders to remain in

The Certified Criminal Investigator, CCI program measures and assesses knowledge and competency of investigators in both the public and private sectors.

Providing a foundation of forensics basics, this program creates a measure of standardization in the field of investigation. As the National Academy of Sciences' report on the Forensic Sciences reflects, certification for investigators is more crucial than ever before to fill the gaps in the field.

Certified Medical Investigator

good standing by being current with maintenance fees or membership dues, submitting the required 30 continuing education units every three years for recertification, and upholding the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute's code of conduct.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via email: cao@acfei.com

or call us at: 800-423-9737.

Disclaimer The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, and/or The Forensic Examiner does not endorse, guarantee or warrant the credentials, work, or opinions of any individual member. The opinions and views expressed by the authors, publishers, or presenters are their sole separate views and opinions and do not

The Certified Medical Investigator 速, CMI program helps prepare professionals to be competent and confident medical investigators. With five distinct levels, the CMI program was developed to provide those in the forensic specialties with a base of knowledge that prepares them for the intricacies of the legal process that follow identifying and securing a piece of evidence.

necessarily reflect those of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner, nor does the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner adopt such opinions or views as its own. The American College of Forensic Examiner Institute and/or The Forensic Examiner does not assume any responsibility or liability with respect to the

ES23 Announcement

opinions, views, and factual statements of such authors, publishers, or presenters, nor with respect to any actions, qualifications, or representations of its members or subscriber's efforts in connection with the application or use of any information, suggestions, or recommendations made by ACFEI or any of its boards, committees, publications, resources, or activities thereof.

Don't miss your opportunity to attend.

This years Executive Conference will be held at the campus of UC Santa Barbara, on August 6-8, 2015.

If you have questions, please contact us at 800.205.9165. Thank you for your contribution and dedication.

Please visit http://certfa.org/es23/ for ES23 registration.

Our office hours are: M-F 7:30AM to 5:30 PM Central Standard Time, UTC-6

Call Judy Simpson for membership and certification inquiries at 800.423.9737 or email at judy@acfei.com. To contribute to our E-Newsletter contact our editor at editor@acfei.com.

Sincerely, ACFEI Team