Forensic Assessments of Juveniles: Practice and Legal Considerations

This article provides a discussion of assessments of youth relevant to forensic decisions. The latter include decisions relating to legal processing within the judicial system and the treatment of youth following adjudication. The article begins with a discussion of general issues relating to forensic assessments and a review of the different objectives of forensic assessments. This is followed by a review of relevant ethical and legal considerations. Examples of specific assessment instruments and procedures are presented.