Forensic Psychology

Students are introduced to the fundamental theoretical perspectives within the field of Forensic Psychology. The range and focus of the material covered links with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) recommendations, namely, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities and peace justice and strong institutions. Core theories and perspectives about the criminal behaviour of specialist client groups encountered in a forensic setting are discussed. Theoretical understandings of criminal behaviour will be discussed more generally initially. Following this, the focus will be on the theoretical understandings of specific offending behaviours such as sexual offending, violence, fire-setting, terrorism, stalking, and hostage taking. In addition, theoretical perspectives regarding the offending of specialist client groups encountered in a forensic setting will be discussed, for example male, female and adolescent offending, the offending of individuals with mental illness, personality disorders, learning disability and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Core theories of offending will be critically evaluated, in particular their applicability, key methodological and theoretical strengths and limitations. There will also be a focus on discussing theories and perspectives regarding victimology to provide a holistic theoretical background. Students will be expected to demonstrate reflective skills using a reflective log. Suggested topics for reflection will be provided.

This module introduces students to the Criminal Justice System and legal framework. The range and focus of the material covered links with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) recommendations, namely, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities and peace justice and strong institutions. Specifically, students are informed about the role and function of key institutions that form the Criminal Justice System. There is a particular focus on the role of a Forensic Psychologist in practice within these. Students are informed about criminal and civil law, including considerations about cultural aspects (such as a session on case law for refugees and asylum seekers). The applicability of the law to vulnerable populations and the contribution of Forensic Psychology in safeguarding vulnerable individuals are discussed within the module. The law applied within specialist settings such as Mental Health Review Tribunals and Parole Board Hearings is reviewed. Students are invited to consider the key practical and ethical considerations involved in the role of the Forensic Psychologist as an Expert Witness. To encourage reflection and awareness of biases and stereotypes, students are invited to participate in group reflection and self-reflection tasks (using anonymous Padlets and practice diaries). 

The module provides a framework for the consideration of research within psychology and spans a wide range of methods and methodologies both quantitative and qualitative. Issues such as validity, reliability, representativeness, sampling, reflexivity and generalisability will be addressed through a variety of different examples of research. Throughout the module students will be encouraged to examine the assumptions underpinning research and its interpretation and to adopt a critical stance to evaluating the methods and analysis they have previously been taught and those they encounter while undertaking this module. Students will also be encouraged to compare research within frameworks (e.g., between correlational, regression and ANOVA designs) and across frameworks (e.g., between experimental designs and focus group interviews), in order to explore different ways of asking questions and the fundamental processes of discovery and knowledge in human and scientific research.

Assessment and consultancy approaches within forensic psychology practice are introduced. The material covered links with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) recommendations, namely, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities and peace justice and strong institutions. Specifically, assessment of various types of offending behaviour is discussed with particular emphasis on risk and clinical factors. Students are encouraged to critically appraise risk assessment approaches and structured professional judgement tools, whilst exploring different formulation approaches. There is also an emphasis on forensic consultancy practice such as the production of professional reports, training, policy development, organisational interventions, and project management and evaluations. Students are expected to identify key learning points to reflect on regarding the ethical and professional practice challenges of risk assessment, including awareness of biases and heuristics. Students are expected to work co-operatively with peers during practical elements of the module but also demonstrate originality in problem solving skills in their written work. Lastly, students are expected to remain sensitive to differences relevant to the diverse group in contact with the Criminal Justice system (such as honour-based violence explored in violence risk assessment) and develop self-awareness of their own biases and stereotypes.

This module introduces the various treatments, interventions and therapy approaches provided to clients within a forensic setting. Material covered links with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) recommendations, namely, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities and peace justice and strong institutions. Specifically, there is coverage of offence focused treatments (e.g., KAIZEN, Schema-Focused Therapy) and forensic psychotherapy (e.g., CAT, CFT) approaches for offenders. In addition, intervention for victims of crime such as Restorative Justice, CFT and EMDR are discussed. Core therapeutic skills are introduced throughout the module, including boundaries, informed consent, and limits to confidentiality. Challenges such as therapeutic relationship ruptures and transference/ countertransference within the forensic contexts are explored. As part of this module, students are encouraged to critically consider and evaluate the various approaches to offending behaviour treatment, considering evidence-based practice. Throughout the module, students are expected to identify and reflect on key learning points from the teaching material. Students will be reminded to remain sensitive to cultural differences (such as a session on building a therapeutic alliance with culturally diverse individuals) in terms of the origins and treatment of mental illness (using specific examples about the boundaries to receiving therapy in BAME communities).

This module will introduce students to the investigative psychology components of forensic psychology in practice. Some material covered links with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) recommendations, namely, reduced inequalities and peace justice and strong institutions. In particular, students will be informed about the various psychology based techniques utilised during an investigation such as eyewitness testimony, identification methods, and offender profiling. Various interviewing techniques utilised within the process of investigation will be discussed, specifically with vulnerable suspects and victims. The difficulties of techniques utilised within investigations will be reviewed such as false confessions, suggestibility, false allegations, and lie detection/polygraph. The approaches utilised within the process of investigation will be evaluated from a theoretical, methodological and ethical perspective.

This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth and independent empirical study within the field of forensic psychology. Students will demonstrate originality in the development and application of knowledge and research skills gained elsewhere in the programme. They will be required to resolve the complex conceptual, methodological and practical problems that are often encountered by psychological researchers. Completion of a dissertation will demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of all stages in the research process, an ability to deal with complex issues creatively and systematically, and to communicate information in a clear and appropriate fashion. The module will prepare students to undertake future psychological research through the practical experience that they have gained under the supervision of a member of academic staff.