Behavioral Science and Forensic Science Notes

Behavioral Science and Forensic Science

Chapter Overview

  • The final focus of forensic science isn't just physical evidence, but human behavior as studied through psychology and psychiatry.
  • Historical focus has been on understanding crime mechanics through questions like "who?" and "how?" contrasted with the current focus on "why?" even though motivations can be elusive.

Key Applications of Behavioral Science in Forensic Science

  • Determination of Competency: Assessing whether an individual can stand trial or represent themselves.
  • Detection of Truthfulness: Techniques to identify deception in testimonies.
  • Identification of Mental Illness: Differentiating between genuine mental issues and feigned disorders (malingering).
  • Determination of Sanity: Legal evaluations determining if the defendant was sane at the time of the crime.
  • Psychological Autopsies: Investigating ambiguous deaths, distinguishing between suicide and accidents, particularly in equivocal death cases.

Understanding Crime Through Behavioral Science

  • The link between behavior and personality is crucial for crime scene analysis and profiling.
  • Criminal Profiling involves reconstructing an offender's motivations and behaviors from the evidence at the crime scene.

History and Development of Forensic Psychiatry

  • 19th & 20th Century: Forensic psychiatry developed in the U.S. alongside general psychiatry, initially being influenced by Isaac Ray’s works.
  • The mid-20th century saw a significant growth in forensic psychiatry, influenced by revamping mental health laws.
  • Training and Certification: Growth in training programs, leading to board certifications for forensic psychiatrists and psychologists.
  • Notable legal cases (e.g., People v. Hawthorne, Jenkins v. United States) paved the way for psychologists to testify in court.

Forensic Applications of Behavioral Sciences

  • Uncovering Deceptive Behavior

    • Malingering: Deliberately faking mental illness.
    • Dissimilation: Minimizing symptoms of mental disorders.

  • Competency to Stand Trial

    • Involves assessing an individual’s understanding of legal proceedings and their ability to assist their defense.
    • Retrospective evaluations may lead to discussions on the validity of confessions.

  • Legal Insanity

    • Generally follows McNaughten Rules which examine if an individual understands their actions and their consequences at the time of the crime.
    • Jurisdictions may use various standards, including cognitive tests of insanity.

  • Diminished Capacity

    • Varies by jurisdiction; may reduce charges from first-degree to third-degree murder based on the defendant's mental state at the time of the act.

  • Dealing with Sex Offenders

    • Historically, laws evolved to address treatment and evaluation of sex offenders, though many faced challenges as treatment effectiveness decreased.

  • ### Post-Trial Sentencing

    • Forensic practitioners can provide mental health evaluations that influence sentencing, particularly involving mental competency discussions.

Behavioral Science at the Crime Scene

  • Understanding behavior is vital in analyzing crime scenes.
  • Modus Operandi (MO): Refers to how a crime is executed; can change over time based on circumstances.
  • Signature: A personal mark of the criminal that remains consistent and reflects deeper psychological needs.

Profiling and Victim Selection

  • Profiling helps narrow suspect lists based on MO and behavior.
  • Victims may be selected based on availability, perceived vulnerability, or specific characteristics that match the offender’s fantasy.

Victimology

  • Investigators analyze victims’ lives to understand why they were targeted, which can provide insight into the perpetrator’s choices.

Evidence and Memory at Crime Scenes

  • The items taken from victims can serve different psychological needs for offenders, categorized as trophies or souvenirs.

Crime Scene Staging

  • Criminals may manipulate crime scenes to mislead investigators; inconsistency in details can suggest staging.

Body Disposal and Its Implications

  • Offenders' choices in body disposal reveal insights about their planning, criminal sophistication, and emotional connections to their victims.

Chapter Summary

  • Behavioral sciences provide critical insights into forensic science, aiding in profiling and understanding criminal actions.
  • Psychological evaluations, understanding victimology, and crime scene analysis are integral in linking offenders to crimes, though such insights may often remain within investigative phases rather than courtroom evidence.

Key Terms and Concepts

  • Actus Reus: The guilty act involved in the crime.
  • Mens Rea: The mental state or intent during the act.
  • MO: Modus Operandi - the method of operation.
  • Insanity: Legal distinction concerning mental state at the time of the offense.