[Using projective tests in forensic psychiatry may lead to wrong conclusions. Only empirically tested tests should be used].
The use of projective and psychometric psychological tests at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry in Stockholm (Huddinge), Sweden, was studied for a population of 60 men, including many patients with neuropsychological disabilities and multiple psychiatric disorders. The results showed that the use of projective tests like Rorschach, Object Relations Test, and House-Tree-Person was more frequent than the use of objective psychometric tests. Neuropsychological test batteries like the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery or Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery were not used. The majority of patients were, however, assessed by intelligence scales like the WAIS-R. The questionable reliability and validity of the projective tests, and the risk of subjective interpretations, raise a problem when used in a forensic setting, since the courts' decisions about a sentence to prison or psychiatric care is based on the forensic psychiatric assessment. The use of objective psychometric neuropsychological tests and personality tests is recommended.
Trygg
L
L
Psykologiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet.
Dåderman
A M
AM
Wiklund
N
N
Meurling
A W
AW
Lindgren
M
M
Lidberg
L
L
Levander
S
S
D003657:Decision Making; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010556:Personality Tests / Q000592:standards; D011386:Projective Techniques / Q000592:standards; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012392:Rorschach Test; D013548:Sweden