copyright © 2004 by bennett blum. all rights reserved undue influence and the exploitation of...

Copyright © 2004 by Bennett Blum. All Rights Reserved

Undue Influence and the Undue Influence and the Exploitation of People with Exploitation of People with

DisabilitiesDisabilities

Bennett Blum, M.D.Bennett Blum, M.D.Park Dietz and Associates, Inc.Park Dietz and Associates, Inc.

Newport Beach, CaliforniaNewport Beach, California

Copyright © 2004 by Bennett Blum

M.D. All Rights Reserved

This lecture provides basic This lecture provides basic information only. Do not information only. Do not

claim special expertise based claim special expertise based upon this lecture, even if you upon this lecture, even if you

have an extensive clinical have an extensive clinical background.background.



Undue Influence and Undue Influence and Financial ExploitationFinancial Exploitation



Crimes Associated With Crimes Associated With Financial AbuseFinancial Abuse

Assault Gang Crime

Battery Homicide

Burglary Prostitution

Drug Abuse/ Traffic Kidnapping

Extortion Robbery

Fraud Vandalism (Etc.)



Effects on VictimsEffects on Victims

Material–Housing–Transportation–Clothing–Food



Effects on VictimsEffects on Victims

Health Related– Depression– Heart Disease– Lung Diseases– Decreased Immune Function– Medical Care– Medication– Increased Mortality Rate



Factors Helping PerpetratorsFactors Helping Perpetrators

Issues affecting victims:Death (elderly)Incompetence (elderly)Fear of retributionFear of loss of independenceEmbarrassment/humiliationFear and confusion re: police/courts



Factors Helping PerpetratorsFactors Helping Perpetrators

Societal Misconceptions:Bias against victims “Civil mirage”“Others will do the work”Mistaken beliefs re: mental capacityMistaken beliefs re: undue influence



Mental Capacity vs. Mental Capacity vs. Undue InfluenceUndue Influence

Mental Capacity Assessment–Behavior & abilities

Undue Influence Assessment–Impact of suspect’s behavior



Assessing Potential Assessing Potential Financial Abuse SituationsFinancial Abuse Situations

Vulnerable adults

High-risk situations



Vulnerable AdultsVulnerable Adults

Cognitive impairment Serious/multiple medical problems Abuse substances DepressedBereaved



Vulnerable Adults (cont.)Vulnerable Adults (cont.)

LonelyIsolatedOverly trustingParanoid/fearfulPrejudices or strong political beliefs



High-Risk SituationsHigh-Risk Situations

Change in:Spending Investment behaviorGift-giving and/or recipientsFamily structure or friendshipsPersonal residence__________

Minimal interaction with others



Undue InfluenceUndue Influence

No medical definition.

No model proves undue influence. Judicial decision.

Models define the necessary behaviors/conditions



Undue Influence and LawUndue Influence and Law

“Persuation, pressure, or influence short of actual force, but stronger than mere advice, that so overpowers the dominated party’s free will or judgment that he or she cannot act intelligently and voluntarily, but acts, instead, subject to the will or purposes of the dominating party” [Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th edition, 1990 p. 1528]

Copyright © 2004 by Bennett Blum. All Rights Reserved

Assessment of Undue InfluenceAssessment of Undue Influence



Subtypes of UI – Australia Subtypes of UI – Australia

Coercion: “Worse”– Similar: Extortion; Blackmail

Trust / Love: “Trust Me” – Manipulation / Exploitation



Subtypes of UI (cont.)Subtypes of UI (cont.)

Salesmanship: “Unconscienable Bargains”

Fraud: Lie



Models of ManipulationModels of ManipulationEdgar Schein, Ph.D.Robert Lifton, M.D.Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D.Robert Cialdini, Ph.D.



IDEAL ModelIDEAL Model

Only model designed for investigative and trial use



““IDEAL” - Undue Influence*IDEAL” - Undue Influence*

IsolationDependenceEmotional manipulationAcquiescence – Consent/submissionLoss

*”IDEA”Copyright © 1998, 2001 by Bennett Blum. “IDEAL” Copyright©2002. All Rights Reserved.



IsolationIsolation

Naturally occurring

Medical Causes

Perpetrator Interference

Geography – Transportation



DependencyDependency

Physical

Emotional

Informational



Emotional ManipulationEmotional ManipulationFear of loss

– Loss of independence– Loss of home– Loss of companionship– Loss of money/assets– Loss of safety/security– Loss of opportunity (“Now or never”)



Emotional Manipulation IIEmotional Manipulation II

GuiltFriendship or “love”Prejudices/biasesAngerGreed, Etc.

*May involve any emotion*



AcquiescenceAcquiescence

Access to house, car, credit cards, bank accounts, cash, etc.

Giving property or moneyNaming perpetrator in DPA,

new will, trust, insurance beneficiary documents, etc.



LossLoss

Loss while alive



Applying the IDEAL ProtocolApplying the IDEAL Protocol



Case of Mr. MCase of Mr. M




Exam: Deficits in– Memory - Severe– Executive Function – Moderate to

Severe

Pattern - Vascular Dementia



Mr. M Mr. M Facts re: Undue InfluenceFacts re: Undue Influence




Criteria:– Isolated– Dependent– Emotional

Manipulation– Acquiescence– Loss

Minimum conditions are met



Recanting VictimsRecanting Victims



Finding an ExpertFinding an Expert



An ignorant doctor is no An ignorant doctor is no better than a murderer.better than a murderer.

- Chinese proverb- Chinese proverb



Clinician or Forensic Clinician or Forensic Expert?Expert?



Ask/Determine:Ask/Determine:

Pertinent* knowledge, skill, and experience.

Testimony styleConflicts, fees, etc.How to organize documents

–Send all documents



Amateur – A person willing Amateur – A person willing to give you the benefit of his to give you the benefit of his

inexperience.inexperience.



Sources - ISources - IAmerican Academy of Psychiatry and

the Law (AAPL) - 860.242.5450Park Dietz and Associates, Inc.

949.723.2211Bennett Blum, M.D., Inc. 520.750.8868National/local prof. organizations



Sources - IISources - II

Word of mouthLectures/seminarsLiterature review



Contact InformationContact InformationBennett Blum, M.D.

Arizona (520) 750-8868

California (949) 723-2211

Web: http://www.parkdietzassociates.com

E-mail: [email protected]

copyright © 2004 by bennett blum. all rights reserved undue influence and the exploitation of...

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