title: [Using projective tests in forensic psychiatry may lead to wrong conclusions. Only empirically tested tests should be used].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Psykologiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trygg
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dåderman
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wiklund
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Meurling
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lidberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Levander
mesh_terms: 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