Welcome to the website for the 2012 Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society!

The 2012 Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society will be held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico March 14-17, 2012.  The Conference will begin the morning of Thursday, March 15th and will run through Saturday, March 17th, 2011.

Please use the tabs above to access for information about the 2012 Conference.  Announcements and new information will also be posted here

APLS 2012 Conference Registration is now available.  The early-bird registration price ended on January 31, 2012.  Current registration costs are $275 for Members, $210 for Early Career Professionals, $95 for Students, $400 for Non members, $145 for Student non members, and $100 for guests (attending social functions only). To register for the conference please visit: https://cyberstore1.apa.org/cyb/cli/casinterface1/aplsreg/. Registration will also be available at the conference, beginning Wednesday, March 14.

For more information about the 2012 Conference, please contact the AP-LS Conference Co-Chairs, Karen Galin, Jen Woolard, and Diane Sivasubramaniam at aplsconference2012@gmail.com

Conference Programming

A PDF of the final program for the 2012 AP-LS meeting is now available here.

A searchable draft of the conference program is now available online at the All Academic website: http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/apls/apls12. For any queries about the conference program, please contact the conference co-chairs by email (aplsconference2012@gmail.com).

Instructions for Presenters

Setting Up Your Poster

The dimensions of the poster boards are 4' high x 8' wide (1.2 m high x 2.4 m wide).

Friday night and Saturday night poster sessions run from 6:30pm to 8pm. Posters for these sessions can be hung any time after 4pm, and must be removed by 8:30pm.

 The Saturday afternoon poster session runs from 12:30pm – 2pm. Posters for this session can be hung any time after 11am, and must be removed by 3:30pm.

 Although we plan to have some available, it is a good idea to bring pushpins for your poster.    

Paper/Symposium Presentations  

Each meeting room will be equipped with a laptop computer with Microsoft Office 2007, so please ensure that your presentation is created and saved to be compatible with PowerPoint 2007.

Instructions for Chairs  

The role of the session chair is to introduce each speaker/discussant, enforce the presentation time limit, and moderate questions/discussion in the session.

Student volunteers will be available in each session to time each presenter. We ask that all session chairs observe and enforce time limits, to ensure that sessions (and the presentations within them) are kept to time.

Also, please ensure that you leave some time for questions and discussion – it’s up to you and your speakers to decide whether you’d like to allow questions after each presentation, or leave all questions until the end of the session.  

Please also make every effort to keep papers in your session in the order in which they appear in the program.

Plenary speakers  

We are pleased to announce our featured plenary speakers.

On Thursday, Susan Brandon and Ray Bull will present in our Opening Plenary Session, entitled “New applications of psychology-law research: Investigative interviewing and eyewitness identification in terrorism contexts.â€�  

Susan E. Brandon is Chief of Research for the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group, an interagency group formed by Executive Order 13491 (Ensuring Lawful Interrogations), via a detail to FBI from DoD. At DoD she served as Chief for Research of the Behavioral Science Research Program, which focused on evidence-based methods to support intelligence and counter-intelligence operations, analyses and investigations: Previously, she was at the MITRE Corporation, the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and Visiting Scientist at the American Psychological Association. She spent 15 years in the Department of Psychology at Yale University, where her primary research interests were the development and evaluation of real-time, computational models of learning and behavior.

Ray Bull is Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Leicester.  His major research topic is investigative interviewing.  In April 2009 Ray received from the 'International Investigative Interviewing Research Group' the 'Senior Academic Award' for his 'significant lifetime contribution to the field of investigative interviewing'.  In July 2008 Ray received from the European Association of Psychology and Law an ‘Award for Life-time Contribution to Psychology and Law’.  In June 2008 he received from the British Psychological Society the ‘Award for Distinguished Contributions to Academic Knowledge in Forensic Psychology’.  In 2005 he received a Commendation from the London Metropolitan Police for “Innovation and professionalism whilst assisting a complex rape investigationâ€�.  He has advised a large number of police forces in several countries on the interviewing of witnesses and of suspects, and he has testified as an expert witness in a considerable number of trials.  He has authored and co-authored a large number of papers in quality research journals and has co-authored and co-edited many books including Investigative Interviewing: Psychology and Practice (1999 – a second edition is now being written) and Witness Identification in Criminal Cases (2008).  He has been an invited speaker at a variety of meetings around the world.  In recognition of the quality and extent of his research publications he was in 1995 awarded a higher doctorate (Doctor of Science).

 On Friday, Paul Frick will present his Plenary Address: Current Status of the DSM-V and its Implications for Forensic Psychology.  

Paul J. Frick, Ph.D is University Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Frick has published over 160 manuscripts in either edited books or peer-reviewed publications and he is the author of 6 additional books and test manuals. His research on aggressive and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the John T. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation. In 2004, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Orebro University in Orebro, Sweden in recognition of his research contributions in psychology. In 2008, he received the MacArthur Foundation's Champion for Change in Juvenile Justice Award for the state of Louisiana. From 2009-2011, Dr. Frick was the President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy. Dr. Frick is the editor of the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, the official journal of Division 53 of the American Psychological Association which is the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Dr. Frick is also a member of the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V Workgroup for ADHD and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders.  

On Saturday, Heather Kelly, Nathalie Gilfoyle, and Brian Baird will speak in the Presidential Plenary Panel, on the translation of psychology and law research into policy and practice.  

Heather O’Beirne Kelly was an undergraduate psychology major at Smith College and worked in non-profit development before receiving her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia in 1998.  Dr. Kelly completed her clinical residency at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.  Dr. Kelly’s research background focused on the areas of adolescent social development, child sexual abuse, and adolescent dating violence, and as a therapist she worked primarily with children and families.  She has worked in her current position as Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer with the American Psychological Association in its Science Government Relations Office since 1998.  In this role, Dr. Kelly advocates for behavioral science on Capitol Hill and in the federal agencies and runs APA’s Executive Branch Science Fellowship Program.  Within her specific advocacy portfolio are the psychological research programs within the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nathalie Gilfoyle is General Counsel to APA and in that capacity is responsible for filing amicus curiae briefs presenting scientific research to the courts on public policy matters such as the death penalty, LGBT rights, the insanity defense, false confessions, and other cases where law and psychology intersect.  

The Honorable Brian Baird, Ph.D.  served for twelve years in the United States House of Representatives, where he focused on science and technology, energy, health care - especially mental health, oceans, foreign policy, fiscal discipline and Congressional integrity.  Congressman Baird was known and respected for taking principled stands, careful study of issues, and the ability to build bipartisan relationships.  In his capacity as Congressman, Dr. Baird chaired the Research and Education Subcommittee of the House Science and Technology Committee.  In addition to his work in Congress, Dr. Baird holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a license to practice in Washington State, His clinical experience spans more than two decades and encompasses a wide variety of settings and patient groups.   Dr. Baird previously chaired the Department of Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University, and has authored three books.



Workshops

To register for CE workshops, please visit: https://cyberstore1.apa.org/cyb/cli/casinterface1/aplsreg/

In addition to the material below, you may view or download this flyer (in Word format) that describes the Workshops offered.

The following workshops will be offered at the conference:  

FULL DAY WORKSHOPS: Workshops A, B, & C  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM / 8 CE’S

WORKSHOP A: FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF THE MMPI-2-RF [CANCELLED]

This advanced workshop on forensic applications of the MMPI-2-RF is designed for psychologists with a basic familiarity with the MMPI-2 and/or the MMPI-2-RF.

Learning Objectives: (1) Describe the Daubert factors in relation to admissibility of MMPI-2-RF testimony; (2) Explain the Frye test in relation to admissibility of MMPI-2-RF based testimony; (3) Conduct empirically-supported assessments of over-reporting with the MMPI-2-RF; (4) Conduct empirically-supported assessments of psychopathology and personality variables relevant to forensic assessments with the MMPI-2RF; (5) Use the MMPI-2-RF in criminal and civil court-related forensic evaluations

PRESENTER:   Yossef S. Ben-Porath is a Professor of Psychology at Kent State University.  He is a co-developer of the MMPI-2-RF and co-author of the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A manuals and the monograph that introduced the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales.  

WORKSHOP B: DEVELOPMENTS IN RISK ASSESSMENT: AN UPDATE

This workshop is at the intermediate level. The workshop will: (1) Describe conceptual advances in risk assessment, including the relation between risk assessment, prediction, and management; (2) Describe actuarial and structured professional judgment approaches to risk assessment, with relevant research; (3) Describe risk assessment tools appropriate for designated populations (e.g., civil commitment, NGRI acquittee, juvenile, domestic, sexual offender, and workplace) and relevant and supporting research; (4) Describe the scientifically supported, scientifically unsupported, and controversial or largely untested uses of risk assessment; (5) Describe approaches to risk communication in report writing and testimony, including recent empirical research on risk communication.

PRESENTER:  Kirk Heilbrun is Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Drexel University.   

WORKSHOP C: PRESENTING EXPERT TESTIMONY IN COURT [CANCELLED]

This workshop is at the beginning/intermediate level. The Program will be heavily weighted with ethical and legal issues that impact the provision of expert testimony.  It will also provide data and references as to what may constitute the standard of practice in the forensic field.

Learning Objectives: (1) Discuss major case law and Rules of Evidence relevant to expert testimony; (2)  List the essential steps in preparing for court testimony; (3) Describe key techniques important to presenting testimony from an evidence based practice point of view; (4)  Describe key techniques in managing cross examination; (5) Describe ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in providing expert testimony.

PRESENTER:  Mary Alice Conroy is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training for Sam Houston State University Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program.  

COST: FULL-DAY WORKSHOP (all rates in U.S. Dollars)
Member - $255.00
Non Member - $300.00
Student Member - $110.00
Student Non Member - $135.00

HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS: Workshops D, E, F  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 4 CE’S

WORKSHOP D: STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING (SEM) [CANCELLED]

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to structural equation modeling (SEM) in psychology.  Participants will be introduced to and be able to describe: SEM programming and models; (2) Theories and principles underlying SEM, and; (3) Best practices for reporting SEM results.. Participants will also receive; (4) Hands on experience with scripts written in AMOS, Mplus and STATA and, if time permits; (5) An overview of advanced multi-level and mixture modeling options.  It is recommended that participants download Mplus (http://www.statmodel.com/) and/or AMOS (http://www.spss.com/downloads/) demo versions to their laptops as access to these programs will not be provided as part of the course. PRESENTER:  Candice Odgers, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine.   

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 4 CE’S

WORKSHOP E: WORKING WITH DATA FROM THE PATHWAYS TO DESISTANCE STUDY

This workshop is at the intermediate/advanced level. This program will: (1) Describe the Pathways to Desistance (a multisite, longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders who are transitioning to adulthood) study methods and sample (2) Describe the measures used over time, (3) Illustrate areas of investigation and uses of the Pathways study data. We will provide specific analytic and data-related advice regarding longitudinal analysis. Workshop participants are encouraged to come to the workshop with research questions of interest, (4) Walk through “hands on” exercises with the data as time allows.

 PRESENTERS:   Edward P. Mulvey is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Law and Psychiatry Program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Carol A. Schubert is a researcher with the Law and Psychiatry Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM /4 CE’S

WORKSHOP F: DISPUTED CONFESSIONS:  PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTATION AND TESTIMONY

This workshop is at the intermediate level. This workshop will: (1) Describe historical and current societal attitudes toward police interrogation and confessions, (2) Identify the three legal questions in confession cases for which psychological testimony is likely to be relevant, (3) Identify and be able to use a model for conducting forensic psychological evaluations, (4) Identify a procedure for conducting forensic psychological evaluations relevant to Miranda issues, and (5) Identify a procedure for conducting forensic psychological evaluations relevant to voluntary/coerced issues.

PRESENTER:  Gregory DeClue is a forensic psychologist in independent practice in Sarasota, Florida, and  a psychologist for several law-enforcement agencies  

COST: HALF-DAY WORKSHOP (all rates in U.S. Dollars)
Member - $120.00
Non Member - $180.00
Student Member - $60.00
Student Non Member - $80.00

 



Information about San Juan

For some information about San Juan, see: http://bienvenidospuertorico.net/

Climate

Puerto Rico enjoys a tropical climate year round. The average high temperature in March in San Juan is 83 degrees and average low temperature is 72 degrees.

Transportation

Taxis from the airport to the Caribe Hilton cost approximately $20. Taxis to Old San Juan cost about $12-$15. Taxis only take cash. It’s also a nice walk in to Old San Juan but not at night or in a thunderstorm.

Things to Do at the Conference Hotel

Consult the Resort Activities guide for daily activities on the beach, in the Kidz Paradise, and Fitness Center.

The Caribe Hilton San Juan is home to the Olas Spa, with a full menu of services. Services include manicures and pedicures, a full-service hair salon, and many day spa packages.

You can enjoy a round of golf on the small 7-hole golf course with SoftTrak putting greens. Equipment hire is available at the fitness center and is free for the first hour.

Bicycle rentals are available at the fitness center. This is a great way to get out and explore the local San Juan area.

Three all-weather tennis courts are available from 6:00am to 10:00pm free of charge to guests. Reservations can be made at the fitness center. Equipment rental of rackets and tennis balls (can of three) is available.

The Caribe Hilton hotel’s tropical gardens are populated by a wide array of birds, most of whom roam freely through specially cultivated gardens.

The underwater lighting along the sea coast attracts an interesting representation of salt-water fish. An on-site reef has been designated for snorkeling and provides a colorful view of underwater sea life.

The Health Club is equipped with cardiovascular equipment, treadmills, elliptical machines, upright bikes, free weights, and the latest in strength training machines. Daily fitness programs, including water aerobics, yoga, circuit training, and Pilates are offered.

San Juan Attractions

Old San Juan- Spend some time wandering around the historic city, with an array of restaurants, bars, plazas, and stores to enjoy.

El Morro (Castillo de San Felipe del Morro)- Constructed to defend the San Juan coastline during the 17th and 18th centuries, this dramatic fortress rises 140 feet above the sea on a rocky promontory, and is composed of six huge levels of ramps, barracks, dungeons, turrets, towers and tunnels.

Castillo de San Cristobal- This massive 27-acre series of fortifications is the largest the Spanish built in the New World.

Museo del Arte- More than just an art museum, the Museo del Arte hosts concerts and festivals as well.

Museo del Nino (Children’s Museum)- This highly interactive museum encourages the inquisitive spirit to question what makes things happen and then to find out.

Museo de Las Americas (Museum of the Americas)- A folk art museum with vibrant exhibits for sale.

Bacardi Rum Plant-Take a 45-minute tour of the world’s largest rum distillery, Bacardi Museum, and be rewarded with a tasty sample at the end of your visit.

El Yunque National Forest- The only tropical rainforest in the US Forest Service System.

Bio Bays: There are 3 bioluminescent bays in Peurto Rico. La Parguera, Vieques, and Fijardo.

Rio Camuy Cave National Park: The Camuy cave system is the third largest in the world.



Hotel

The 2012 Conference will be held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan.

The APLS 2012 Hotel Registration Website is now available.  You may reserve a hotel room by clicking on this link, or a hotel villa by clicking on this link.  Your credit card will be charged for the cost of one night at the time of booking.

Please note: We are currently sold out of hotel rooms at the conference rate for the nights of March 14-17 (but please note that there are still a few hotel villas available during that time). Please do keep checking the links above, as cancellations may result in some rooms becoming available.



Call for Student Volunteers

If you are interested in being a student volunteer for the AP-LS 2012 Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, please send an email to Kathy Gaskey, AP-LS Administrative Assistant (apls@ec.rr.com).

Similar to past conferences, volunteers will be providing assistance with the conference registration area and/or monitoring concurrent sessions throughout the conference.  We are asking for a commitment of 6-8 hours of volunteer time.

Kathy will be developing a volunteer schedule to cover the registration table/CE workshops (Wednesday through Friday) and the concurrent sessions (Thursday through Saturday).  This schedule will be sent to all volunteers for sign-up after the conference program is completed.

As a thank you for volunteering, student volunteers will get free registration for the conference. Kathy Gaskey, AP-LS administrative assistant (apls@ec.rr.com), will work with you to process your registration as a student volunteer.  All student volunteer registrations will be processed by Kathy after presenters are notified regarding acceptance/rejection of proposals.  

 



Exhibitors and Promotional Opportunities

We invite you to participate in the book exhibit, advertising in the program or conference bags, or sponsoring an event at the AP-LS 2012 Annual Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We anticipate approximately 800 participants, both domestic and international. The exhibitor tables will be set up in the main foyer of the conference centre.

 Exhibitor hours are:
  • Thursday, March 15th - 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday, March 16th - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  •  Saturday, March 17th - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

To apply for exhibit space or conference advertising please contact Kathy Gaskey (apls@ec.rr.com).  Applications are due January 25, 2012.

For more information, click here to view or download the Exhibitor Prospectus in PDF