Pennsylvania Psychological Forensics realizes that the stakes are high when a family litigates over child custody.  In the worst-case scenario, the resulting custody arrangement may place the child at great risk of emotional and/or other difficulties.

When psychologists and other mental health professionals appear in courtrooms to assist with child custody determinations, it is not unreasonable to hope that their input would be based on a strong scientific foundation.  Unfortunately, this is often not the case.

Counsel should take a dim view of any custody evaluation report that fails to be of the highest caliber.  In the absence of scientific support for their reports, certain issues should receive considerable attention.  The following questions should always be explored:

• Does the physhologists' description of the parties and events mesh well with what has been observed in other settings?
• Are the tests being used valid and reliable?
• Is there a straightforward and logical rationale for the custody recommendation that fits the rest of the evidence in the case?
• Does all of the information the psychologist gathered lead directly to precise recommendations that appear convincing?

These questions represent the optimal kind of analysis that attorneys should undertake when evaluating custody report recommendations.

A comprehensive evaluation can provide important and valuable insights and uncover trends that impact the well being of the children involved.