Forensic Neuropsychology Goes from Nowhere to Almost Everywhere: Lessons Learned During Decades of Practice.

This article provides a comprehensive historical overview of forensic neuropsychology (FN) over the past four decades, highlighting its emergence as a prominent subspecialty within clinical neuropsychology. Initially absent from formal training and professional recognition in the late 1970s, FN gained traction in the 1990s as legal professionals increasingly sought neuropsychologists' objective, evidence-based evaluations—particularly regarding cognitive and emotional impairments and the assessment of malingering or symptom validity. The article emphasizes three key factors driving FN's rise: the quantitative nature of neuropsychological data, its scientific rigor, and specialized validity assessment methods. It also discusses challenges in working with attorneys, procedural considerations, and the importance of minimizing bias in expert opinions. By 2024, FN is well-established with extensive resources, professional organizations, training opportunities, and practice standards supporting its integration into legal and clinical contexts.