The Importance of Using Malingering Screeners in Forensic Practice

The reduction in the number of psychiatric patients in state psychiatric hospitals has resulted in substantial financial savings but also the negative consequence of bed shortages. Regular use of malingering screeners in pretrial forensic evaluations is proposed as a means by which more defendants who might be malingering can be identified, thus freeing up valuable bed space in psychiatric hospitals. A case example is presented, illustrating the use of a malingering screener. The advantages of a specialized approach to the detection of malingering are discussed. The utilization of malingering screeners as an integral part of the specialized perspective is highlighted.