title: Comparison of performance of the test of memory malingering and word memory test in a criminal forensic sample.
abstract: Compared with the amount of neuropsychological literature surrounding response bias in civil litigation, there is little regarding criminal cases. This study adds to the criminal forensic neuropsychological literature by comparing the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) in a criminal forensic setting utilizing a criterion-groups design. Subjects were classified into two groups based on their performance on at least two other freestanding performance validity tests. The WMT demonstrated good sensitivity (95.1%) but poor specificity (68.4%) when Genuine Memory Impaired Profiles (GMIPs) were not considered. Inclusion of GMIPs reduced the sensitivity to 56.1% but increased the specificity to 94.7%. The TOMM evidenced better sensitivity but poorer specificity than the WMT with GMIPs. Conjoint use of the tests was also considered. Receiver operating characteristics and other classification statistics for each measure are presented. Results support the use of these measures in a criminal forensic population.
authors.affiliation: The School of Professional Psychology, Forest Institute, Springfield, MO, USA rlfazio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.affiliation: The School of Professional Psychology, Forest Institute, Springfield, MO, USA.
authors.forename: James Forrest
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: The School of Professional Psychology, Forest Institute, Springfield, MO, USA Neuropsychological Associates of Southwest Missouri, Springfield, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Denney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Forensic Neuropsychology; Malingering; Performance Validity; Response Bias; Test of Memory Malingering; Word Memory Test