Forensic Psychological Evaluations in South Korea
PACE Psychology provides independent forensic psychological evaluations for legal, administrative, and disability-related matters in South Korea. Evaluations are conducted by Minsu Kim, Ph.D., a U.S.-licensed clinical psychologist, with services available in English and Korean.
What is a Forensic Psychological Evaluation?
A forensic psychological evaluation applies psychological assessment to a specific legal, administrative, or disability-related question. Unlike psychotherapy, the evaluator’s role is not to provide treatment or advocate for a particular outcome, but to offer an objective and evidence-based psychological opinion relevant to the referral question.
Depending on the case, the evaluation may involve clinical interviews, psychological testing, structured diagnostic assessment, review of records, collateral information, and integration of multiple sources of data into a written report.
Types of Forensic Evaluations
Disability and Functional Evaluations
Psychological evaluations may be conducted to clarify psychiatric diagnoses, functional limitations, symptom severity, and the relationship between psychological conditions and everyday functioning.
Depending on the referral question, the evaluation may examine functioning in areas such as work, interpersonal relationships, daily activities, concentration, emotional regulation, and adaptation to stress.
Parenting and Custody-Related Evaluations
Parenting and custody-related evaluations may address psychological functioning and parenting-related questions relevant to family-law proceedings. The scope of each evaluation is determined by the specific referral question, applicable legal requirements, available information, and the evaluator’s professional role.
These evaluations may involve psychological assessment, review of relevant records, interviews, and collateral information when appropriate. Acceptance of a referral depends on the nature of the case, jurisdictional requirements, and whether the requested evaluation falls within the evaluator’s scope of competence.
Attorney-Requested Diagnostic Clarification
Attorneys may request an independent psychological evaluation when diagnostic clarification is relevant to a legal or administrative matter.
Depending on the referral question, the evaluation may examine competing diagnostic explanations, psychiatric symptoms, trauma-related conditions, functional impairment, or the relationship between reported symptoms and available clinical information.
Structured or standardized diagnostic instruments may be incorporated when clinically appropriate, along with psychological testing, clinical interviews, records review, and collateral information. When clinically appropriate, structured diagnostic instruments such as the SCID-5 or CAPS-5 may be incorporated as part of a broader evaluation.
How the Forensic Evaluation Process Works
Referral Review
The referral question, purpose of the evaluation, intended use of the report, relevant deadlines, and available records are reviewed before the case is accepted.
Conflict and Scope Review
The evaluator determines whether there are potential conflicts of interest and whether the requested service falls within the appropriate scope of practice.
3. Records and Background Information
Relevant legal, medical, mental health, educational, employment, or other records may be reviewed depending on the referral question.
4. Interview and Psychological Assessment
The evaluation may include clinical interviews, psychological testing, structured diagnostic assessment, and other procedures selected to address the referral question.
5. Collateral Information
When relevant and authorized, information may be obtained from collateral sources.
6. Integration and Written Report
Findings are integrated across multiple sources of information. When appropriate, a written report describes the data reviewed, assessment findings, clinical opinions, relevant limitations, and conclusions related to the referral question.
Forensic Evaluation is Not Psychotherapy
A forensic psychological evaluation is not psychotherapy. The evaluator does not establish a traditional therapist-client relationship with the examinee and does not serve as an advocate for either party.
Forensic evaluations also have different limits of confidentiality. Before an evaluation begins, the purpose of the evaluation, the evaluator’s role, who will receive the information, and relevant limits of confidentiality are explained.
English and Korean Forensic Evaluations
PACE Psychology provides forensic psychological evaluations in English and Korean.
Language background, cultural context, educational history, immigration or international experience when relevant, and the context in which prior records or evaluations were obtained may be considered when interpreting psychological information.
Professional Experience Relevance to Forensic Evaluation
About the Evaluator
Minsu Kim, Ph.D. is a U.S.-licensed clinical psychologist and a Korean Mental Health Clinical Psychologist Level 1. He completed his clinical psychology training in the United States and postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute.
His assessment experience includes disability-related psychological evaluations for U.S. military veterans, structured diagnostic assessment using instruments such as the SCID-5 and CAPS-5, cross-cultural psychological evaluations, and psychological assessment in complex legal and administrative contexts.
FAQ
Do you accept referrals from attorneys?
Yes. Attorneys may contact PACE Psychology to discuss the referral question, scope of the requested evaluation, relevant records, anticipated timeline, and whether the requested evaluation is an appropriate fit.
What types of forensic evaluations do you provide?
PACE Psychology currently accepts selected referrals involving disability and functional evaluation, parenting or custody-related psychological questions, and attorney-requested diagnostic clarification. Case acceptance depends on the referral question, jurisdictional requirements, and scope of practice.
Is a forensic evaluation confidential like psychotherapy?
No. Forensic evaluations have different limits of confidentiality from psychotherapy. The purpose of the evaluation, intended recipients of the information, and relevant limits of confidentiality are explained before the evaluation begins.
Can evaluations be conducted in English?
Yes. Forensic psychological evaluations are available in English and Korean.
Do you provide written forensic reports?
When appropriate to the referral, a written report may describe the information reviewed, assessment findings, clinical opinions, limitations, and conclusions relevant to the referral question.
Can an attorney contact you before formally referring a case?
Yes. An initial professional consultation can be used to clarify the referral question and determine whether PACE Psychology is an appropriate provider for the requested evaluation.
Request a Forensic Evaluation
Attorneys, individuals, and organizations seeking a forensic psychological evaluation may contact PACE Psychology to discuss the referral question, scope of the evaluation, available records, and next steps.