Contemporary and Complex Issues in Forensic Psychology Practice
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
The application of psychology to the legal system
Aim 2
Understanding crime and criminality with respect to offenders, victims, and witnesses and
Aim 3
Professional Practice: forensic consultancy and supervision.As such, the module aims to address the following aims:
Aim 4
Explore the role of psychology in the legal process.
Aim 5
Review definitions of crime and criminality, with respect to offender, victim, and witness.
Aim 6
Identify psychological theories of punishment and treatment, including probation
Aim 7
Explain and illustrate the concept of throughcare.
Aim 8
Identify and explore psychological theories of offending and victimology, building upon undergraduate knowledge of the core psychological disciplines (social, cognitive, individual differences, and biological/ neuropsychological).
Aim 9
Identify a number of areas relevant to professional practice (e.g., forensic consultancy and project management).
Aim 10
Outline the role of forensic psychologists as consultants and the context within which they practice, their potential role as a trainer, facilitator, problem-solver, investigator, and supervisor/supervisee.
Aim 11
Describe the ethical and professional considerations that should be adhered to, the competencies needed, and the criteria required for professional reports in this context.
Aim 12
Develop students’ skills in searching for, reading, and interpreting primary sources and integrating these to provide an informed analysis of an issue relating to the legal system, crime and criminality, and forensic consultancy.
Aim 13
Demonstrate skills in independent learning and critical analysis appropriate to postgraduate study.
Module Content
As noted, there are three phases to this module. Each phase has its own respective content, which is outlined below:
Phase I: The application of psychology to the legal system, capturing:
Definitions of, and the measurement of crime.
Litigation vs. mediation and arbitration. Juvenile justice and detention orders.
Punishment and treatment: The role of detention and custody (including the role of probation).
The seamless sentence: the throughcare process.
Victims in the Criminal Justice System.
Crime as a social function.
Desistance from crime.
Identifying suspects.
Cultural factors that impact the effectiveness of the legal system
Phase II: Understanding crime and criminality in respect to offenders, victims, and witnesses, capturing:
Personal attributes of offenders and victims.
The role of victims and victimology.
Theories of offending.
The drug-crime connection.
Domestic violence.
Acquisitive offenders.
Offending across the lifespan.
Cultural biases in crime and criminality Phase III: Professional Practice, including forensic consultancy and project management, capturing: The psychologist as a consultant: Core competencies, roles and applications to forensic settings.
Project management and organisational intervention: Case studies.
Working independently: Ethical and professional considerations and the role of supervision.
Conducting investigations: e.g., interviewing techniques.
Training others: Planning, implementing, and evaluating training.
Communicating effectively: Presenting evidence and providing feedback.
Consultancy in practice: Demonstrating the consultancy skills needed using the Critical Incident Advisor role as an illustration.
Explore the importance of cultural competence when working as a forensic consultant or supervisor
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The lectures will provide details of criminal and civil legal processes and the role of forensic psychologists within these processes. There will also be a focus on theories behind the personal attributes of offenders and victims. The theory behind consultancy and professional practice will be captured and applied via case- studies using the role of the Critical Incident (e.g., Hostage Negotiation) Advisor as an example. Seminars will enable students to examine particular concepts in more depth and allow an opportunity for discussion of relevant issues.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Examination, one Essay and one Consultancy report
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