Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial - Revised (ECST-R)

Purpose: Evaluate an individual's competency to stand trial in ages 18 and older

Age: 18-79 years

Time: Untimed

The Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial–Revised (ECST-R) is designed for specialised forensic evaluations related to competency to stand trial. It also can be used to evaluate important elements of competency to plead and competency for pro se.

It is a semi-structured interview designed to assess dimensions of competency to stand trial as propounded in Dusky v. United States (1960) and consistently affirmed in subsequent Supreme Court decisions. In addition, the ECST-R provides a systematic screening for feigned incompetency to stand trial, with questions probing purported impairment and symptomatology specifically germane to competency issues.

The ECST-R contains 18 items and three individual scales that assess separate dimensions of competency to stand trial:

1. Factual Understanding of the Courtroom Proceedings
2. Rational Understanding of the Courtroom Proceedings
3. Consult with Counsel.

The ECST-R also includes 28 items and five scales for Atypical Presentation: Realistic, Psychotic, Nonpsychotic, Impairment, and Both (Psychotic and Nonpsychotic combined).