Search

University–community engagement is increasingly emphasized at institutions throughout the United States, yet there remains concern and confusion about how to conceptualize community engagement to p...

Objective: To assess the extent to which clinical and nonclinical variables have been used by mental health professionals in Manitoba to determine fitness to stand trial. Researchers at a forensic setting in another province have suggested that demographic variables account for as much of the variance in predicting the outcome of these assessments as clinical variables. Method: These variables were assessed by the examination of 100 fitness assessments conducted at Winnipeg's Forensic Services unit during a 2-year period. Results: Contrary to findings reported in Ontario, the variance in fitness evaluations in Manitoba was primarily accounted for by clinical rather than demographic variables. Conclusion: Since Manitoba's forensic clinicians were using standardized criteria that were very similar to 1992 Criminal Code revisions of fitness, the findings attest to the usefulness of these criteria.