What does the psychological expert consist of? Interview with Leticia Vazquez

Beyond psychological intervention in patients, psychologists also have many other fields of work. One of the most important has to do with capturing information and analyzing it so that judicial processes are carried out with guarantees.

In this field of judicial psychology, what is known as psychological expertise is very relevant.. Let's see what it consists of from the hand of an expert: Leticia Vázquez Llorente.

• Related article: "Legal Psychology: the point of union between Psychology and Law"

Interview with Leticia Vázquez: what is psychological expertise?

Leticia Vazquez She is a health psychologist and expert in psychological expertise, and practices in the Majadahonda and Las Rozas area. In this interview, she tells us about the functions carried out by someone dedicated to psychological expertise.

If you had to summarize in a single sentence what a psychological expertise consists of, how would you do it?

I would say that it is a psychological evaluation of one or several people that originates a report in order to serve as evidence in a judicial process, in which the expert psychologist puts his scientific and technical knowledge at the service of lawyers on a certain subject in the field of psychology, informing, advising or supporting the Judge in his resolution.

The expert opinion and the psychological expert report constitute expert evidence and at the same time a testimony.

In what type of judicial cases are more frequent that a psychologist intervenes who performs an expert opinion?

Given the high rate of divorces and separations, the intervention of an expert psychologist in Family Law is very frequent, in assessment of custody and visitation (in which case the evaluation of all members of the family unit is required), or in the evaluation of parental suitability of one of the parents and the maternal or paternal-filial. I think it is important to highlight that the welfare of the minor is always a priority in the performance of the experts.

Within the criminal sphere, the object of an expert report frequently consists of the following methods.

Exploration and diagnosis of the mental state and personality that determines the presence or absence of mental disorder in connection with the commission of a crime.

Imputability of the defendant (if he suffers from a disorder that affects his cognitive and volitional abilities that prevent him from having the ability to judge or control his behavior).

Psychological sequelae in victims of a crime.

Credibility of testimony in cases of sexual abuse of minors.

And within the civil sphere, the ability to testify and the psychological injury in accidents, negligence or natural catastrophes.

To get an idea, what is a normal day spent working on a case that requires this type of expertise like?

During a psychological appraisal, the experts are very concentrated, immersed in the expert, dedicating all our resources to the preparation of the report.

We carry out clinical interviews to collect observable information and psychometric tests (psychodiagnostic tests), we analyze the documentary information related to the case and we choose scientific articles and bibliography that illustrate or support the conclusions resulting. An expert opinion requires a lot of dedication, generally in a short time.

How is this concept related to that of legal psychology and that of forensic psychology?

They are synonymous, both refer to psychology within the judicial field, that is, to scientific and technical knowledge at the service of the administration of justice. In general, the term forensic psychologist is applied to professionals attached to the courts, while expert psychologists are hired by one of the the parties or, if we are registered in the expert list of the Official College of Psychologists, we are designated by insaculation or lottery by Courts or Tribunals.

What qualities do you think a psychology professional should have who dedicates a good part of their work to expert reports?

An expert psychologist must have the appropriate training, be aware of the latest studies and findings scientists within the field of psychology and the most up-to-date and validated psychometric tests.

I think that more than qualities, we could talk about the expert having a passion for what he does and curiosity in knowing, if not the absolute truth, yes the depth of the case that originates the expertise. On the other hand, when the experts are called to a trial to ratify our report and answer the questions of the Judge and the parties (indictment and defense), we need communication skills, conviction and poise, qualities that will emerge more easily if our report has been made with awareness and dedication.

Finally... What are the aspects of this field of work that you like the most?

The entire process of an expert opinion is exciting, similar to detective work in which all the information is used to shed light on the case and build something like a puzzle. The most gratifying thing is to find the data that helps to understand and explain the facts that originated judicial proceedings and, in some cases, issuing recommendations that may help the experts