ADAPTING SYMPTOM VALIDITY TESTING TO EVALUATE SUSPICIOUS COMPLAINTS OF AMNESIA IN MEDICOLEGAL EVALUATIONS

Symptom validity testing was adapted to assess suspicious complaints o f amnesia. In the adaptation, two-alternative, forced-choice memory qu estions were generated for subject matter claimed to be forgotten. The number of questions correctly answered was then compared to the expec ted number of questions to be correctly answered if no knowledge actua lly existed. Three case studies are presented, two of competency-to-st and-trial evaluees and one of an insurance medical examinee. In each c ase, the use of this procedure generated the conclusion that the knowl edge claimed to be forgotten was actually remembered; however, not all individuals were classified as malingerers.