Assessment and reporting of suspected malingering in mental disorders

Although malingering of mental disorder may be encountered only occasionally in clinical practice, it calls for particular consideration in the medico-legal setting. If successful, claimants in personal injury litigation may be compensated for injuries they have not suffered or receive more compensation than they are entitled to. Malingering can also lead to criminal offenders avoiding conviction.

There are certain psychometric tests that can assist with the detection of malingering, but their use by those unfamiliar with their scientific basis or insufficiently trained can cause difficulties for the expert witness who relies on them in court. Even more so if the expert trespasses into the judge's territory by offering an opinion on the credibility of a litigant.

Completion of this module will enable you to feel better prepared when offering expert evidence regarding the genuineness of a litigant's history or presentation.