PSYC 2850 - Forensic Psychology

Credit Hours: 3.00

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of psychological principles as they relate to the legal system.
2. Evaluate the various roles that psychologists play in the criminal justice system.
3. Explore the applications of psychology to various criminal justice and correctional issues.
4. Identify the various types of crimes most commonly related to mental health issues.
5. Explore the challenges individuals with mental health issues face in the criminal justice system.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to evaluate the legal aspects of crime.

Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast the various types of crimes and their impact on society.
2. Analyze important case law that has shaped the relationship between psychology and the legal system.
3. Evaluate how the courts and the legal system influence the practice of psychology at both the individual and systemic level.
4. Evaluate how the field of psychology influences the legal field at both the individual and public policy level.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to evaluate the various components of the legal system.

Objectives:

1. Evaluate the investigation process, interrogation process, Miranda rights, and confessions.
2. Analyze the effectiveness of punishment and rehabilitation models.
3. Explore the treatment and needs of juvenile offenders.
4. Describe the process of evaluating competency and insanity.
5. Evaluate the options of those deemed incompetent or criminally insane.

1. What Is Forensic Psychology?
   1. The origin of forensic psychology
   2. Major Areas of Forensic Psychology
   3. Structure of the legal system
   4. The Law and Psychology
   5. Conflict between psychology and law
   6. Careers in forensic psychology
2. Psychology of crime
   1. Genetics and crime
   2. Neurotrasmitters and hormones and crime
   3. Brain development and crime
   4. Psychosocial theories of crime
3. The Psychology of Police
   1. Police training and education
   2. Police selection
   3. Psychological assessment of police
   4. Role of police
   5. Police-community relations
   6. Police stress
4. Forensic Assessment and Treatment
   1. Forensic assessment method and procedures
   2. Clinical, Actuarial, and Structured Risk Assessments
   3. Risk and Protective Factors
   4. Difficulties in risk assessment
   5. Types of treatment in Forensic settings
   6. Success of various treatment models
5. Expert Testimony and the Role of an Expert
   1. History of the Expert Witness
   2. Admissibility of Expert Testimony
   3. Challenges to Expert Testimony
   4. Criticisms of Expert Testimony
6. Psychology of Violence
   1. General violence and criminal behavior
   2. Sexual violence
   3. Domestic violence
   4. Special Groups (women, children adolescents, intellectually disabled)
   5. Psychopathy 
7. Sexual Offenders
   1. What Is a Sexual Offender?
   2. Risk assessment and recidivism
   3. Treatment and Management of Sexual Offenders
   4. Juvenile sexual offenders
   5. Female sexual offenders
   6. Sexual Offender laws, registration and residency issues
8. Criminal and Civil Competence
   1. Competency to Stand Trial
   2. Competency evaluations
   3. Restoration of Competence
9. Insanity, Criminal Responsibility, and Diminished Capacity
   1. Insanity Defense‐historical and present views
   2. Historical cases related to insanity laws
   3. Guilty but mentally ill
   4. Evaluations of Insanity
   5. Criminal Responsibility and Diminished Capacity
10. Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
    1. History of the Juvenile Court
    2. Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Offenses
    3. Risk factors for juvenile delinquency
    4. Juveniles charged as adults
    5. Treatment for juvenile offenders
11. Sentencing & Corrections
    1. Sentencing practices
    2. Sentencing disparities
    3. Types of outcomes
    4. Prison, jail and community corrections
    5. Recidivism 
12. Psychology in the courtroom
    1. Jury selection
    2. Bench vs. Jury trial
    3. Role of judge and jury
    4. Eyewitness testimony
    5. Accuracy of memory
    6. Child witnesses