As a clinical psychologist competent in report writing, Marina provides high-quality psycho-legal work.
Experienced Psycho-Legal Psychologist
Marina has worked in the Investigative Psychology Section, Forensic Services, of the South African Police Service. During this time, she provided forensic psychological guidance to prosecutors and investigating officers (detectives) for many psychologically motivated crimes, such as serial murder, serial rape, and child sexual abuse, specifically matters involving paedophiles. This assistance included analysing crime scenes, assisting detectives with the investigation, interviewing offenders and victims, and compiling pre-sentencing and victim impact reports.
Types of Psycho-legal Reports
Marina offers the following types of reports:
Criminal Capacity and Responsibility
This reporting involves psychological evaluations in criminal matters where Marina assesses whether the perpetrator is able to differentiate between right and wrong and was able to act based upon this knowledge at the time of the crime. This includes psychological evaluation of offenders, such as sex offenders and offenders of violence.
Victim Impact Assessments
When a crime has been committed, Marina can compile a victim impact assessment to outline the psychological damage of the crime on the victim.
Sentencing Reports
This includes pre-sentencing evaluations. The reports can then be used for sentencing purposes by the Court.
Risk Assessment Reports
An assessment and report are done to determine the level of risk a person or offender poses, which include risk for violence, risk for reoffending, risk for sexual offending, etc.
How to book a Psycho-legal evaluation
As a legal representative, you will need to email the request for a psycho-legal assessment to Marina. The request must provide a summary of the case and comments on the reason for referral, as well as outline specific areas requiring psycho-legal evaluation. Marina will then respond with an estimated quotation for the assessment based on the aim of the assessment.
Once the quotation has been accepted and signed, consultation dates will be scheduled. Thereafter, you will need to forward all collateral documentation related to the case, for instance, previous reports compiled by other professionals, a copy of the case docket, court records, etc.