Attorney Resources
Forensic Psychological Evaluations & Expert Witness Services
Provided by Dr. Duncan Bowen, PhD, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida) • Forensic Mental Health Evaluator
Attorney & Court Inquiries: (321) 543-8882
Forensic services are evaluative in nature and are provided independently in accordance with professional standards, ethical guidelines, and applicable legal requirements. Engagements are accepted through attorney or court referral.
Scope of Forensic Engagements
Dr. Bowen provides forensic psychological evaluation, expert consultation, and expert witness testimony in matters involving criminal, civil, family, and administrative proceedings.
The role of the forensic evaluator is to provide objective, evidence-based opinions relevant to legal decision-making. Forensic services are distinct from therapeutic treatment and are not advocacy services for either party.
Engagement Process Overview
Forensic engagements generally follow a structured process designed to ensure ethical compliance, role clarity, and legal relevance. Specific procedures may vary based on case type, court requirements, and referral parameters.
Engagements may involve in-person evaluation, recored review, or consultation depending on the needs of the court or retaining counsel.
Initial Attorney or Court Inquiry
Attorneys or courts initiate contact to determine availability, scope of services, and appropriateness of the requested forensic evaluation or consultation.
Conflict Screening and Role Clarification
A conflict review is conducted prior to engagement to ensure ethical compliance and role clarity. Forensic and therapeutic roles are not commingled.
Records Review and Referral Materials
Relevant legal, medical, psychological, educational, and collateral records are reviewed when available prior to evaluation.
Forensic Evaluation
Evaluation procedures may include clinical interviews, psychological testing, collateral interviews, and behavioral analysis as appropriate to the psycholegal referral question.
Forensic Report Preparation
Written forensic reports are prepared for legal use and address the specific referral questions presented by the attorney or court.
Testimony and Consultation
Deposition and trial testimony are provided when requested and when consistent with professional opinions formed during the evaluation process.
Types of Matters Commonly Addressed
Forensic services may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Competency to Proceed evaluations
- Criminal responsibility and mental state evaluations
- Risk assessment and behavioral evaluations
- Sentencing and mitigation-related evaluations
- Sex offense-related psychological evaluations
- Substance use and addiction evaluations
- Fitness-for-duty evaluations
- Parenting capacity and family court evaluations
- Court-ordered psychological evaluations
- Expert consultation and rebuttal review
All evaluations are tailored to the specific legal questions presented and are conducted using evidence-based forensic methodology.
Expert Witness Testimony
Dr. Bowen provides expert witness testimony in deposition and trial settings when retained and qualified by the court.
Expert opinions are based on evaluation data, professional training and experience, accepted forensic assessment practices, and ethical and legal standards.
Professional Standards and Objectivity
All forensic services are conducted with strict adherence to professional ethical standards, evidence-based forensic assessment practices, legal relevance, and neutral, non-advocating positioning.
Forensic evaluation services are conducted independently from therapeutic treatment roles. When clinically indicated and ethically appropriate, therapeutic services may be provided in a separate clinical capacity, including court-ordered treatment or attorney-recommended counseling.
Curriculum Vitae and Credentials
Detailed curriculum vitae information, including education, professional history, forensic experience, and prior court involvement, is available upon request to attorneys and courts.
CV materials are provided directly to counsel or the court to ensure appropriate context and professional use.
Attorney and Court Inquiries
Forensic consultation requests are accepted from attorneys, courts, and referring agencies.
Attorney & Court Inquiries: (321) 543-8882
Request Forensic Consultation