Screening for feigned psychiatric symptoms in a forensic sample by using the MMPI-2 and the structured inventory of malingered symptomatology

Fifty-five men undergoing pretrial psychological evaluations for competency to stand trial or criminal responsibility in the federal justice system were administered the Structured Inter-view of Reported Symptoms (SIRS), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), and the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS). On the basis of results from the SIRS, 31 were classified as honest responders and 24 as feigning. Significant differences between the 2 groups were found on all SIMS scales as well as on all tested MMPI-2 fake bad validity scales. The SIMS total score and the MMPI-2 Backpage Infrequency (Fb) scale had relatively high negative predictive power (100% and 92%, respectively). On the basis of this clinically relevant methodology, both tests have potential usefulness as screens for malingering.