The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2023

how often an expert works for one side of the adversarial system, etc.). In one case I participated in, the attorney found that a high- profile national expert’s work was admonished by another state’s court system. I would add that this expert was “board certified” and had been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards a national association has to offer. Given the expert’s impressive background, without discovering this information, the attorney might have had a difficult time demonstrating bias. CONCLUSIONS While the field can be of great assistance in reaching legal conclu sions, it is equally ripe for bias and a lack of objectivity. In my experience, the gatekeepers of accountability for mental health professionals’ work product fall to legal professionals, as the individual experts and their respective licensure boards will not necessarily ensure compliance with professional standards. Dr. Shawn Roberson is a licensed psychologist in private practice. He has conducted thousands of criminal and civil forensic examinations throughout Oklahoma and other states. Dr. Roberson previously served as the chairperson for the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists in addition to teaching at numerous universities. ABOUT THE AUTHOR ENDNOTES 1. Carlson, J.F., Geisinger, K.F. and Jonson, J. (2021). Mental Measurements Yearbook , Twenty First Edition. 2. Melton, G.B., Petrila, J., Poythress, N.G. and Slobogin, C. (2007). Psychological Evaluations for the Courts: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals and Lawyers , Third Edition. The Guilford Press: New York. 3. Murrie, D.C., Bocccaccini, M.T., Guarnera, L.A. and Rufino, K. A. “Are Forensic Experts Biased by the Side That Retained Them?” Psychological Science (2013).

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL