Independent, non‑partisan, and grounded in personality structure. Retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel.

Forensic Psychological Evaluation & Expert Testimony

Forensic Psychology · New York City

Forensic Psychological Evaluation & Expert Testimony

Independent, non-partisan, and grounded in personality structure.

Dr. Justin Jones provides independent forensic evaluations, expert testimony, and litigation consultation in civil, family, and criminal matters—retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel.

Columbia & Yale-trained Licensed NY & MA APA Specialty Guidelines
Dr. Justin Jones, forensic psychologist in New York City
Ph.D., ColumbiaClinical Psychology
Plaintiff & DefenseNon-partisan engagements
Civil · Family · CriminalEvaluation & testimony
Deposition & TrialMultiple jurisdictions
The Standard

An expert whose duty is to the court—not to the retaining party.

Dr. Jones approaches every forensic evaluation with a single commitment: to assist the trier of fact. His work is grounded in structural personality assessment, multi-method methodology, and unwavering neutrality—conclusions that may, or may not, support the retaining party’s legal theory.

01 — Areas of Practice

Types of forensic evaluation

Civil Litigation

Evaluation of psychological injury, emotional damages, PTSD, and trauma-related conditions in personal injury, wrongful death, and employment litigation—including standard-of-care analysis.

Family & Custody

Assessment of parental capacity, personality functioning, and relational dynamics in custody disputes, parenting plans, and high-conflict family matters.

Criminal Matters

Evaluation of competency, criminal responsibility, risk-relevant factors, and diagnostic clarification in criminal proceedings.

02 — The Process

How a forensic evaluation is conducted

01

Record review

Comprehensive review of all relevant records and collateral materials.

02

Clinical interviews

Structured clinical and forensic interviews across multiple sessions.

03

Psychological testing

Objective testing and symptom-validity assessment when indicated.

04

Collateral contacts

Corroborating sources to strengthen the reliability of findings.

05

Report & testimony

A clear, defensible written opinion—and testimony where required.

03 — Methodology

Methodological rigor across every case

Dr. Jones conducts forensic psychological evaluations using a structured, multi-method, data-integrative methodology consistent with the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology.

  • Clarification of the specific legal referral question
  • Comprehensive review of all relevant records and collateral materials
  • Structured clinical and forensic interviews (multiple sessions)
  • Psychological testing when clinically indicated
  • Symptom-validity and response-style assessment
  • Differential diagnosis using DSM-5-TR and dimensional models (AMPD, PDM-2)
04 — Expert Testimony

Qualified in deposition and at trial

Dr. Jones has provided expert testimony in civil, family, and criminal matters—translating complex psychological constructs into clear, defensible opinions for the court.

Trial testimony
Pennsylvania Superior Court · Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas · Massachusetts Superior Court
Depositions
Civil litigation — psychological injury, standard-of-care analysis
  • Clear, accessible communication of complex psychological concepts
  • Grounded in established professional standards (APA Specialty Guidelines)
  • Ability to withstand rigorous cross-examination
  • Non-partisan presentation of findings
Expert witness testimony in New York City courts
New York City
05 — Neutrality

Objectivity as a non-negotiable foundation

Independence

Opinions formed without allegiance to the retaining party.

Non-Partisanship

Conclusions not tailored to retainer expectations or legal strategy.

Transparency

Methodology, reasoning, and limitations made explicit in every report.

Adherence to Standards

All work conforms to the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology.

Dr. Jones does not offer contingency-based opinions, function as a “hired gun,” or guarantee outcomes. Findings may or may not support the retaining party’s legal theory—this is communicated at the outset.

In a custody dispute, a parent carried a prior diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. A first expert listed symptoms but could not explain why the parent idealized the child one week and rejected her the next. Dr. Jones’s structural evaluation identified identity diffusion, splitting as the primary defense, and low mentalization under stress—and recommended Transference-Focused Psychotherapy with supervised visitation for six months. The court adopted the plan, and coparenting capacity measurably improved.

All case examples are conceptual, anonymized, and do not represent actual client data.

06 — Curriculum Vitae

Education, training & appointments

  • DoctoratePh.D. in Clinical Psychology, Columbia University
  • LicensureNew York · Massachusetts
  • Academic appointmentAdjunct Faculty, Columbia University (Teachers College)
  • Clinical trainingNYU / Bellevue · St. Luke’s-Roosevelt · William Alanson White Institute
  • AffiliationsAPA (Div. 39) · New York State Psychological Association · Massachusetts Psychological Association
Download CV (PDF) Full forensic engagement history, testimony & publications
07 — For Counsel

Frequently asked questions

What does a forensic psychologist do as an expert witness?
A forensic psychologist applies clinical science to legal questions—conducting independent evaluations, forming opinions to a reasonable degree of psychological certainty, and, where needed, testifying in deposition and at trial to assist the trier of fact. Dr. Jones works in civil, family, and criminal matters.
How do I retain Dr. Jones for a case in New York?
Email dr.jones.scheduling@gmail.com with the case type, jurisdiction, and referral question. All inquiries are confidential and answered within 24 hours. A current fee schedule and CV are provided on request.
Does Dr. Jones work for plaintiff or defense?
Both. He is retained by plaintiff and defense counsel and forms opinions independently of who retains him. He does not offer contingency-based opinions or guarantee outcomes.
What types of forensic evaluations does Dr. Jones provide?
Civil litigation (psychological injury, emotional damages, PTSD, standard-of-care), family and custody (parental capacity, personality functioning, high-conflict dynamics), and criminal matters (competency, criminal responsibility, diagnostic clarification).
In which courts has Dr. Jones testified?
He has provided testimony in deposition and at trial across multiple jurisdictions, including the Pennsylvania Superior Court, the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, and the Massachusetts Superior Court. He is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.
What makes a “personality structure” evaluation different?
Rather than listing symptoms, Dr. Jones assesses the underlying organization of personality—identity integration, characteristic defenses such as splitting, and mentalization under stress—which often explains behavior that a symptom checklist cannot.
What methodology does Dr. Jones use?
A structured, multi-method, data-integrative approach consistent with the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology: referral-question clarification, comprehensive records review, structured interviews, psychological testing when indicated, symptom-validity assessment, and differential diagnosis using DSM-5-TR and dimensional models (AMPD, PDM-2).
How much does a forensic evaluation cost?
Fees depend on the scope and complexity of the matter. A current fee schedule is provided on request—email dr.jones.scheduling@gmail.com.
Retain · Consult · Testify

Ready to discuss a case?

Forensic consultation, independent medical examination, record review, or testimony—contact Dr. Jones directly.

All inquiries confidential · Response within 24 hours · Fee schedule & CV on request