Interview, diagnostic, and legal aspects in the forensic psychiatric assessments of deaf persons

Forensic psychiatric assessments rely on many underlying presumptions concerning the language development and abilities of their subjects. Although these assumptions may apply across a culturally diverse group of hearing subjects, they probably do not apply to those who are prelingually deaf because such deaf persons never developed verbal language. In this article, a review of the range of literature focusing upon the unique aspects of interviews, diagnosis, and legal understanding of the deaf is conducted. An attempt to illuminate those features believed to be most relevant to forensic assessments of this unique population is made. The demands of interviews conducted in manual language are discussed and particular attention is paid to the impact of the interpreter upon confidentiality, privilege, agency, and the dynamics of the interview. It is also suggested that many of the baseline behaviors of the deaf may, at least partly, result from differences in communication style between the deaf and hearing. This article reports that many major mental disorders occur with the same frequency among the deaf and hearing and include many of the same symptoms. However, organic mental disorders may occur at a somewhat greater rate among the deaf because of the organic basis of deafness. Finally, the ways in which deafness and the use of an interpreter may influence the deaf person's ability to understand and relate to legal concepts and process are discussed. It is noted that many of these problems may arise from a deaf persons inexperience or undereducation about legal matters rather than psychopathology.     

Controlling crime by persons who make,defend, and are supposed to enforce the laws

B.A., St. John's College 1949; J.D., Yale Law School 1952.     

Trafficking in persons report

The Department of State is required by law to submit a Report each year to the U.S. Congress on foreign governments' efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons. This Report is the sixth annual TIP Report. It is intended to raise global awareness, to highlight the growing efforts of the international community to combat human trafficking, and to encourage foreign governments to take effective actions to counter all forms of trafficking in persons.     

美国变性人立法和司法情况评议

变性人在进行变性手术后，会面临一些现实的法律困境，如，户口，婚姻，就业，医疗等，目前我国法律在这方面还是处于空白。虽然美国在这方面不是特别完善，但联邦及各州法律都对此做出了很多规定来保护变性人。通过介绍和评议美国在立法和司法对变性人做出的相关规定，借此深入了解变性人在变性后所面临的法律上的尴尬，将更有利于保护越来越多的变性人，也有助于我国法律在这方面的完善。