Forensic practitioners are ethically committed to conducting culturally sensitive evaluations and legally bound by rules of evidence and due process. While ethics and law define ideal and impermissible practice, they rarely specify how to achieve work that is both culturally responsive and legally defensible. Science offers clearer clinical guidance, but much of forensic research has been developed using predominantly White, English-speaking samples, often overlooking the lived experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals. As a result, practitioners working with Latine individuals, particularly those with low English proficiency and low acculturation, frequently face limited guidance, unanswered research questions, and uncertainty in applying evidence-based practices. Dr. Aparcero-Suero developed this training to address the gap between current research and the practical needs of working with Latine and Spanish-speaking individuals in the U.S. legal system.

The training begins with a research- and practice-informed review of how sociocultural factors can influence behavior, communication, symptom expression, and interactions with legal and mental health professionals. These cultural differences may be misinterpreted as pathology, deception, or lack of insight, potentially leading to inaccurate case formulations, ineffective interventions, and unjust legal outcomes. Next, the training discusses how to work effectively with interpreters. It then presents an approach to conducting evaluations with this population that mitigates bias and avoids stereotyping, including guidance on test selection and data interpretation that accounts for culture, language, and the cross-cultural psychometric properties of commonly used psychological and forensic assessment instruments. Dr. Aparcero-Suero also addresses sex offender risk assessment, examining how sociocultural characteristics influence pathways to offending and treatment responsivity. The training concludes with a discussion of current gaps and future research needed to advance culturally responsive care.

Interactive Follow-Up Meeting

Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.