1/11/2023 Welcome to Forensic Psychology PSYC 3500 1 Class Outline • Course Reminders • What is Forensic Psychology • Myths and Realities • History of Forensic Psychology • Psychological Experts in Court • Current Research Trends 2 Contact Information Ashley Hosker-Field, PhD • Email: Ashley.Hosker-Field@Humber.ca • Tel: 416.675.6622 ext. 3021 • Office: C204 • Meetings by appointment • In-person Mon/Tues, online Wed - Fri 3 1 1/11/2023 Reminders! • Be sure that you have access to the CJ research portal • Required to complete Option A for Research Reflection Assignment • Essay partner sign-up • By Friday January 27, 2023 • Sign-up sheet on BB under additional course resources 4 What is Forensic Psychology? 5 What is forensic psychology? 1. Is it like what happens on TV shows like CSI? 2. Do forensic psychologists help to capture serial killers? 3. Do we analyze blood splatter or DNA? 6 2 1/11/2023 Forensic Psychology: Narrow Definition • Professional practice of clinical psychology focusing on assessment and treatment of individuals within a legal context 7 Forensic Psychology: Broad Definition • Professional practice of clinical psychology focusing on assessment and treatment of individuals within a legal context AND • research that examines aspects of human behaviour directly related to the legal process 8 Roles of a Forensic Psychologist • Clinical Forensic Psychologist • Mental health issues pertaining to legal system • Qualifications: Graduate degree + registered with professional organization 9 3 1/11/2023 Roles of a Forensic Psychologist • Experimental Forensic Psychologist • Research related to legal system • Qualifications: Graduate degree with research focused on a forensic psychological topic 10 Roles of a Forensic Psychologist • Legal Scholar • Focus on mental health law, policy analysis, legislative consultations • Qualifications: Graduate degree with research focused on a forensic – legal issue 11 Relationship between Psychology and Law (Haney, 1980) • Psychology in the law • The use of psychology within the legal system • Psychology and the law • The use of psychology to study the law and legal system • Psychology of the law • The use of psychology to study the law itself 12 4 1/11/2023 Match These 1. Police officer uses open- a. Psychology and the law ended questions when interviewing a child victim 2. How much discretion should judges have when sentencing? 3. Researching the risk factors predictive of sexual recidivism b. Psychology in the law c. Psychology of the law 13 What is the difference between a forensic psychiatrist and a forensic psychologist? Psychologist Psychiatrist Trained to assess/treat mental health Research Medical doctor Physical disease model Psychological model Prescribe medications 14 Five Major Areas of Forensic Psychology • Police Psychology • Psychology of Delinquency and Crime • Victimology and Victim Services • Legal Psychology • Correctional Psychology 15 5 1/11/2023 Forensic Psychology: Police Psychology • Determining optimal shift schedules for officers • Developing psychological profiles of serial offenders • Establish reliable/valid screening procedures for law enforcement officer positions • Train police officers to deal with mentally illness • Provide counseling services to officers • Provide support services to the families of law enforcement officers 16 Forensic Psychology: Psychology of Delinquency and Crime • Evaluate effectiveness of intervention strategies designed to prevent violent behavior • Conduct research on the development of psychopathy • Consult with school personnel to identify troubled youth who are potentially dangerous • Develop a psychological tests for assessing risk 17 Forensic Psychology: Victimology & Victim Services • Treat victims of crime or witnesses of crime • Psychological assessments for personal injury matters • Educate and train victim service providers on psychological reactions to victimization (PTSD) • Assess, support, and counsel those who provide death notification services. 18 6 1/11/2023 Forensic Psychology: Legal Psychology • Conduct child custody evaluations, visitation risk assessments, and child abuse evaluations • Assist attorneys in jury selection through community surveys and other research methods • Perform evaluations of a defendant’s competency to stand trial • Consult with attorneys and the courts concerning custody decisions, conflict resolution, and the validity of assessment procedures 19 Forensic Psychology: Correctional Psychology • Establish reliable/valid screening procedures for correctional officer positions • Assess inmates for mental health needs and suitability for prison programs • Provide individual and group treatment for inmates • Evaluate effectiveness of programs for juvenile and adult offenders • Develop a stress management program for correctional personnel 20 Other Forensic Disciplines 1. Examine bones 2. Examine words 3. Study dental records 4. Insects at crime scenes 5. Perform autopsies 6. Analyzes blood, paint chips, hair samples 7. Facial composites, age a. Forensic Entomologist b. Forensic Artist c. Forensic Chemist d. Forensic Anthropologist e. Forensic Linguist f. Forensic Pathologist g. Forensic Odontologist progression 21 7 1/11/2023 Myths and Realities 22 Are the following statements true or false? • Modern police interrogation techniques can result in false confessions • Police officers are good at detecting deception • Eyewitnesses can easily identify the suspect from police lineups 23 Are the following statements true or false? • There are no differences between male and female jurors in their decision making • It is possible to commit a murder while sleep walking • Most offenders released on parole are convicted of new crimes • Youth violence in on the rise 24 8 1/11/2023 History of Forensic Psychology 25 Origin of Forensic Psychology • Forensic – Latin “forensis” • Means “of the forum” 26 Historical Highlights: Expert testimony • 1896: Albert von Schrenck-Notzing • Psychologist used as “expert” in court • Examined role of media and suggestion • “retroactive memory-falsification” 27 9 1/11/2023 Historical Highlights: Early Research • 1900: Alfred Binet • Examined suggestibility in children 28 Historical Highlights: Early Research • 1901: William Stern • Research on testimony • “reality experiment” 29 Historical Highlights Expert Testimony • 1911: Julian Varendonck • expert testimony on child eyewitness memory • “civilized nations should never allow children to testify in court” • 1922: Karl Marbe • Expert testimony in civil trial 30 10 1/11/2023 Historical Highlights: Research in North America • 1895: James McKeen Cattell • First experiments in “psychology of eyewitness testimony” • Asked students about things they have witnessed in their everyday life • How confident are you? (1 = not at all, 2 = somewhat, 3 = I am right) 31 Historical Highlights: First Forensic Psychology Book • 1908: Hugo Munsterberg • Described as the father of forensic psychology • On the Witness Stand • 1909: John Wigmore • Scathing critique of Munsterberg 32 Historical Highlights USA • 1917: Louis Terman • Use of IQ tests to screen police • 1921: State v. Driver • Expert testimony by American psychologist • 1922: William Marston • First faculty appointment “professor of legal psychology” • 1954: Brown v. Board of Education • Used results from psychology experiments to outlaw school segregation 33 11 1/11/2023 Historical Highlights Canada • 1955: First federal correctional psychologist hired • 1960s: Robert Loo • 1st RCMP Manager of Psychological Services • 1965: Robert Hare • Studies psychopathy at UBC • 1970s: Bill Marshal • Studies treatment of sex offenders at Queen’s • 1985: Criminal Justice Section of Canadian Psychological Association formed 34 Psychological Experts in Court 35 Functions of an Expert Witness 1. Information to assist the judge and jurors 2. Provide an opinion 36 12 1/11/2023 Key Canadian Cases R. v. Sophonow (1986) R. v. Swain (1991) R. v. Lavallee (1990) R. v. Oickle (2000) 37 Mohan Case • Dr. Mohan: pediatrician charged with 4 counts of sexual assault • Defence psychiatrist: Dr. Mohan does not meet the profile of someone who would commit such offences • Judge ruled testimony was inadmissible • Appealed to the Supreme court 38 Requirements for Expert Testimony in Canada Mohan Criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4. relevant beyond common knowledge does not violate any rules of exclusion qualified expert 39 13 1/11/2023 Forensic Psychology: Current Research 40 Current Research Trends Activity • Work independently or with a colleague (with a laptop!). • Spend some time exploring the content in the Forensic and Legal Psychology section of the Frontiers in Psychology journal/website. • Check out the latest, most viewed, and most cited articles for an introduction to the broad topic areas addressed with Forensic Psychology • Reflection & Discussion: What articles did you find most interesting? Why? What course topics are you looking forward to the most? Why? 41 For Next Week . . . • Read Chapter 2 • Before class, spend some time checking out this website and reviewing the RCMP member selection process: • http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/how-to-apply • Please bring your textbooks and notes about the selection process to class with you next week! 42 14 1/11/2023 See You Next Week!!! 43 15
