Competency To Proceed Expert Witnesses

Walnut Creek, California

Forensic Psychology - PTSD, Complex Trauma, Neuropsychology, Violence Risk, Correctional Suicide, Correctional Medicine, Standard of Care, Jail Suicide, Prison Suicide, Competency to Proceed, Trial Competency, Emotional Injury, Emotional Distress, Psychopathy, Psychological Disability, IME, Psychosis, TBI, Malingering

I am a California- and Oregon-licensed psychologist specializing in forensic psychological and neuropsychological assessment. I have completed over 200 forensic evaluations (defense, plaintiff, and court appointed) across 11 California counties and in the federal district courts of California and Oregon. As an expert witness, I routinely provide testimony on the brain's fear response, the neuropsychology of PTSD and psychosis, the emotional/behavioral impact of complex trauma, violence and sexual offending risk, and trial competency. Before entering independent practice, I provided English- and Spanish-language clinical services in a variety of correctional and forensic settings (e.g., jails, prisons, state hospitals), where I gained extensive experience in the evaluation of correctional suicide risk; violence risk; trial competency; malingering; and the complex interaction of co-occurring mental disorders (e.g., traumatic brain injury, psychosis, PTSD, substance use). I am c...

Miami, Florida

Forensic Psychology, Substance Abuse - Forensic Psychological Evaluations, Mitigation, Downward Departure, Substance Abuse, Trauma, PTSD, Psychosexual, MDSO, Competency to Proceed, Competency Waive Miranda, Coerced Confession, Parenting, Parental Alienation, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, False Allegations, Malingering, Diagnosis

I, Dr. Michael J. DiTomasso, am a PhD level Forensic Psychologist. I specialize in Forensic Psychological Evaluations and trial consulting in Criminal and Sexual Offence cases, Juvenile Delinquency, and Child Abuse matters. I do a lot of work in the basic forensic functions such as psychological evaluations for mitigation and downward departure, competency to proceed, competency to waive Miranda, competency to testify relevantly, etc. In regard to these kinds of cases, I supply expert opinion as to mental health diagnoses, treatment needs, appropriate level of care, and prognosis. I have expertise and experience with all the major diagnostic categories such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar, anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse disorders, psychopathy and other personality disorders. I am a member of the Association for Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and evaluation of dangerousness and risk is often an integral part of the work I do. I have testified at se...