FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IS THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGY AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT INVOLVES UNDERSTANDING LEGAL PRINCIPLES, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY AND THE SPECIFIC CONTENT AREA OF CONCERN E.G., COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION INSANITY IN CRIMINAL TRIALS
FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST IS A MEDICAL EXPERT IN MENTAL HEALTH ARE MEDICAL DOCTORS PSYCHIATRIST DEALS WITH DISEASES/ MEDICINE/ OR MENTAL HEALTH IN GENERAL
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IS THE ABILITY TO TESTIFY IN COURT AS AN EXPERT WITNESS IN ORDER TO BE A CREDIBLE WITNESS THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST MUST UNDERSTAND THE PHILOSOPHY, RULES, AND STANDARDS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST CAN BE TRAINED IN CLINICAL, SOCIAL, ORGANIZATIONAL OR ANY OTHER BRANCH OF PSYCHOLOGY.
INCAPACITY TO STAND A TRIAL A PERSON WHO ISN T COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL CAN T BE CONVICTED OF A CRIME. COURTS REQUIRE COMPETENCY BEFORE DEFENDANTS STAND TRIAL IN ORDER TO PRESERVE DUE PROCESS THAT IS, TO MAKE SURE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE FAIR. DEFENDANTS HAVE AN UNASSAILABLE RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THEM AND ASSIST IN THEIR OWN DEFENSE. IF THEY RE INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING AND ASSISTING, THEY RE LEGALLY INCOMPETENT. NO MATTER HOW CLEAR THE EVIDENCE OF GUILT IS, MENTALLY INCOMPETENT PEOPLE CAN T BE CONVICTED. A DEFENDANT MIGHT HAVE SHOT SOMEONE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, THEN CONFESSED TO THE CRIME IF THAT DEFENDANT ISN T COMPETENT, CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MUST WAIT.
INSANITY IN CRIMINAL TRIALS, THE INSANITY DEFENSE IS THE CLAIM THAT THE DEFENDANT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS DURING AN EPISODE OF MENTAL ILLNESS (PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS OR MENTAL HANDICAP). EXEMPTION OF THE INSANE FROM FULL CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT DATES BACK TO AT LEAST THE CODE OF HAMMURABI.
SANITY EVALUATION THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST MAY ALSO BE APPOINTED BY THE COURT TO EVALUATE THE DEFENDANT'S STATE OF MIND AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE. THESE ARE DEFENDANTS WHO THE JUDGE, PROSECUTOR OR PUBLIC DEFENDER BELIEVE, THROUGH PERSONAL INTERACTION WITH THE DEFENDANT OR THROUGH READING THE POLICE REPORT, MAY HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE.
OTHER EVALUATIONS FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S DANGEROUSNESS OR RISK OF RE-OFFENDING. THEY MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS NECESSARY FOR: SENTENCING PURPOSES GRANTS OF PROBATION FORMULATION OF CONDITIONS OF PAROLE,
6 AREAS OF FOCUS 1. PSYCHOLOGY & CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR 2. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 3. TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS & VICTIMS 4. APPLIED POLICE PSYCHOLOGY 5. VIOLENT & SEXUAL CRIME 6. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF OFFENDERS
1. PSYCHOLOGY & CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR WHAT IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR? MEASUREMENT OF CRIME WHO COMMITS CRIME? THEORIES OF CRIME ALTERNATIVE THEORIES OF CRIME
2. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE WITNESSES/SUSPECTS LEGAL DECISION MAKING CONFESSIONS AND IDENTIFICATION RECOVERED MEMORY
3. TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS & VICTIMS WHAT WORKS WHEN REHABILITATING OFFENDERS? PRISON, SECURE UNITS AND THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, RESPONSES TO JUVENILE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS VICTIM ISSUES
4. APPLIED POLICE PSYCHOLOGY CRIME ANALYSIS OFFENDER PROFILING GEOGRAPHIC PROFILING PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY HOSTAGE AND CRISIS NEGOTIATION.
5. VIOLENT & SEXUAL CRIME THEORIES OF VIOLENT AND SEXUAL CRIME, CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND RAPE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMICIDE, STALKING, TERRORISM.
6. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF OFFENDERS RISK ASSESSMENT METHODS EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT HOUSING MENTAL HEALTH PEER ASSOCIATIONS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ATTITUDES LEISURE ACTIVITIES ALCOHOL & DRUG USE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES RESTRICTIONS (E.G., PEOPLE, LOCATIONS, FIREARMS) EXPECTATIONS (E.G., MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION) SUPERVISION (E.G., FREQUENCY, HOME VISITS) MONITORING (E.G., RANDOM DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING, GPS) TREATMENT (E.G., BIP, SEX OFFENDER GROUP)