Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Application of psychology to the legal system; includes both broad (all psychological research applied to law) and narrow (clinical application in legal settings) definitions

Broad Definition of Forensic Psychology

Application of research from all areas of psychology (cognitive social developmental etc.) to legal issues

Narrow Definition of Forensic Psychology

Application of clinical psychology (assessment treatment evaluation) specifically to legal settings

Postdoctoral/Post-Residency Training

Specialized forensic training completed after earning a doctorate or medical degree

APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists

Ethical rules governing forensic psychologists; emphasize objectivity and legal responsibility

Client (Forensic Setting)

The person who hires the psychologist (e.g. lawyer) not the person being evaluated

Privilege

Confidentiality belongs to the hiring party not the examinee

Contingency Fee

Payment dependent on case outcome not allowed in forensic work

Dual Relationship

Having multiple roles with the same person (e.g. evaluator and therapist) must be avoided

Forensic Role

Objective truth-seeking and aligned with the court

Clinical Role

Supportive and focused on helping the patient

Adversarial System

Legal system where opposing sides present arguments; forensic psychologists serve the court

Positive Ethics

Focus on doing what is right rather than just avoiding wrongdoing

Civil Law

Assigns responsibility for harm and financial compensation

Criminal Law

Deals with guilt innocence and punishment based on moral blameworthiness

Trier of Fact

Judge or jury who makes the final legal decision

Forensic Evaluation

Assessment conducted to assist the court

Fact (Percipient) Witness

Testifies only about what was directly observed no opinions

Expert Witness

Provides opinions based on expertise and evaluation

Limit of Expert Testimony

Cannot give opinions about someone not personally evaluated

Core Skills of Forensic Psychologists

Assessment interviewing report writing communication and case presentation

Common Forensic Tasks

Threat assessment competency evaluation custody evaluation PTSD assessment offender treatment

Psychologist

Holds PhD PsyD or EdD trained in research and therapy usually cannot prescribe medication

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor (MD) who can prescribe medication

Psychopharmacology

Study of how drugs affect mental processes

Non-Physical Evidence

Behavioral and psychological information rather than physical evidence

Empirical Evidence

Data obtained through testing and research

Hugo Munsterberg

Early psychologist who applied psychology to law and studied eyewitness testimony

William Healy

Founded first juvenile court clinic emphasized treatment and life history

Dr. Robert Buckhout

Demonstrated unreliability of eyewitness memory

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disabilities

Daubert Standard

Requires expert testimony to be relevant and reliable

Frye Standard

Scientific evidence must be generally accepted in its field

Dusky Standard

Defines competency as having rational and factual understanding of trial

Miranda Rights

Rights read to suspects to protect against self-incrimination

Clinical Forensic Psychology

Applies clinical methods to legal issues

Developmental Forensic Psychology

Focuses on juveniles and elderly in legal contexts

Social Psychology (Forensic)

Studies jury behavior and group decision-making

Cognitive Psychology (Forensic)

Studies individual decision-making in legal settings

Criminal Investigative Psychology

Includes profiling and psychological autopsies

Insanity (Legal)

A legal determination that a person is not responsible due to mental illness

McNaughton Rule

Insanity if defendant did not know what they were doing or that it was wrong

Irresistible Impulse Test

Insanity based on inability to control actions

Durham Rule

Not responsible if crime was product of mental disease

Model Penal Code (ALI Test)

Insanity if unable to understand criminality or conform behavior

NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity)

Acquittal due to mental illness

Nexus Requirement

Mental illness must be directly linked to the crime

Competency to Stand Trial

Ability to understand charges and assist in defense

Functional Abilities

Skills needed to participate in legal proceedings

FIT-R Test

Interview assessing understanding consequences and communication

GCCT

Test measuring courtroom knowledge and roles

Psychopathy

Lack of empathy remorse and disregard for others

Sociopathy

Inability to understand or relate to others feelings

Antisocial Personality

Pattern of violating social norms and laws

Narcissism

Excessive self-focus and inflated self-importance

Sadism

Pleasure from others suffering

Paraphilia

Abnormal sexual interests

Fetishism

Sexual focus on objects

Clinical Interview

Direct observation and questioning of a subject

SCID

Structured standardized diagnostic interview

Psychological Autopsy

Postmortem investigation of a person’s mental state

Purpose of Psychological Autopsy

Determine manner of death intent and contributing psychological factors

Add the cases you listed earlier (like Daubert

Miranda

Or make a hard practice test based exactly on these cards