About David Shapiro
Curriculum Vitae (pdf)
Dr. David Shapiro is one of America's most respected forensic psychologists, being one of the first psychologists to apply psychological assessment tools in the forensic realm, and currently maintains a private practice of forensic psychology in Broward County Florida. He has been extensively involved in the development of standards for psychological practice. He has served on the Ethics Committees of the American Board of Professional Psychology, The American Psychological Association, and The Maryland Psychological Association. He is a coauthor of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology co-developed by the American Psychology-Law Society (Division 41 of the APA), and the Academy of Forensic Psychology. (1991) More recently he chaired the APA Independent Practice Division 42's involvement in the 2002 revision of the APA Ethics Code.
Because of his deep involvement with the issues of ethics and malpractice, he is frequently sought after as a consultant and expert witness on regulatory, ethical, and civil cases involving questions of malpractice and standards of care in psychology, and has taught courses on professional risk management and liability for psychologists and other mental health professionals.
Dr.Shapiro's professional experience has spanned the range of forensic psychological practice. In the field of criminal forensic practice, he is expert in such topics as assessment of competency, criminal responsibility, death penalty mitigation, assessment and prediction of risk for violent behavior, and neuropsychological screenings. In the area of civil litigation he has been involved in the assessment of post traumatic stress disorders as well as the psychological and neuropsychological aspects of head trauma.
Dr Shapiro's written contributions to the field of forensic psychology are extensive, and include 4 books and many book chapters and journal articles. A frequent faculty member at the American Academy of Forensic Psychology's workshops, he has been involved in the training of many of the board-certified forensic psychologists in this county.
Dr. Shapiro is a Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dr.Shapiro came to Nova from his former positions as an Associate Professor of Psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, the chief of the pretrial branch of the forensic division at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Washington, D.C. and Chief of Mental Health Services for the State of Maryland Division of Correctional Services. At Nova, Dr. Shapiro teaches courses in the forensic concentration including forensic assessment, professional ethics, and criminal law.
Dr. Shapiro earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1965 and his master's degree and doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1972.He was awarded the Diplomate in Forensic Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology in 1979.
Professional Organizations
- Fellow, American Psychological Association (Division 41) (Division 42)
- Chair, Ethics Committee - Maryland Psychological Association (1989 to 1991)
- Chair, Board of Ethical Affairs, Maryland Psychological Association (1992 to 1993)
- Diplomate in Forensic Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (April, 1979 to present)
- Chair, Ethics Committee, American Board of Professional Psychology (1990 to 1994)
- Board of Directors, American Board of Forensic Psychology (1988 to 1997)
- Member-At-Large, American Psychological Association, Division 41 (Psychology and Law) (1991 to 1993)
- Member, Ethics Committee, American Psychological Association (1994 to 1996)
- Member, Board of Trustees, American Board of Professional Psychology (1994 to 1997
Honors and Awards
- Distinguished Contribution to Forensic Psychology, presented at A.P.A. Annual Meeting, August, 1986
- President, American Academy of Forensic Psychology, 1986 to 1988
- Distinguished Practitioner in Psychology, National Academies of Practice, selected March, 2000
- Distinguished Contribution to Psychology, presented by California Psychological Association, March, 2001