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CRI3321 Criminal Minds: Forensic and Criminal Psychology
Short Description:
Criminal Minds Forensic Psych
Units :
1
Faculty or Section :
Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts
School or Department :
School of Law and Justice
Student contribution band :
Band 1
ASCED code :
099903 - Criminology
Grading basis :
Graded
Synopsis
Psychological theories and underpinning philosophies play a large role in understanding criminal behaviour, the effects of criminal behaviour and developing responses to criminal behaviour. This course will examine some of the major theoretical propositions put forward by psychologists to explain why people commit crime, the psychological impacts of crime on victims and the psychological elements of the role of judges and juries in responding to crime. A number of psychological practices used in the broad scope of criminal justice processes will be examined including interview techniques, eyewitness testimonies, offender and geographical profiling and credibility testing. Some of the psychological challenges encountered as part of the criminal justice processes will also be explored as they relate to false allegations, reliability of confessions, child witnesses and psychological disorders. Assessing offenders' risk by the use of psychometric tests, and the range of psychological treatments for offenders will also be examined.
