Can a wrongly accused person be psychologically assessed to clear his name?
Psychological profiling may be used to test a persons propensity to behave in particular ways. A report, however favourable, would be of very little use in a recovered memory criminal case because the prosecution will state that the type of crimes alleged are committed in secret by people of otherwise impeccable reputations who are nevertheless masters of deception even though this cannot be detected in any other trait. Where psychological profiling may be useful is in risk assessment. Probation or social services might require this where allegations have been made, in connection with childcare. Assumptions and methods of profiling vary and if an assessment is requested, particularly in connection with family law proceedings, either the need for the assessment may be challenged or the theoretical assumptions and qualifications of the assessor may be inquired into, and, if inadequate, a profile by a reputable professional in this area might be obtained. Risk assessment is a rapidly expa
