Forensic Psychology

Paper Code:

24DPSY701

Credits:

Contact Hours:

60.00

Max. Marks:

100.00

Objective:

This course will enable students to apply psychological theories and principles in crime investigation and the criminal justice system, understand the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, and develop skills in forensic investigation techniques.

Course Outcomes:

COURSE

Learning Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24DPSY701

Forensic Psychology

(Theory)

CO81: Appraise the application of various theories and principles of psychology in the crime investigation and criminal justice system.

CO82: Develop an idea about the roles of forensic psychologists in court, and demonstrating the knowledge of key issues in forensic psychology including eyewitness testimony and false confession.

CO83: Developing a working knowledge and understanding of the basic methods of investigation used in forensic psychology with an emphasis on crime scene analysis, criminal profiling and forensic psychological tools.

CO84: Learning about the forensic interviewing with the help of advanced tools used in crime interrogation.

CO85: Examining the rights and competencies of accused to stand the trial, and the pleads.

CO86: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion,

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, application based questions, Seminar presentation,

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Assignments, Presentation,

12.00

Unit I:

Introduction:

Defining forensic psychology & legal psychology; The roles of the Psychologist. The Psychology of Forensic Identification: DNA, Fingerprints, and Other Types of Physical Trace Evidence. Cyber-crime: nature and prevention

12.00

Unit II:

The Psychologist in Court:

Expert evidence; Forensic reports; Pre-trial preparation; Forensic portfolio; Examination in chief, Cross Examination

Psychology in courtroom: The Hidden, Consequential World of Plea Bargaining; Jury Selection; Assembling a Jury: Pools, Venires, and Voir Dire; Using Stereotypes & Science to Select Jurors; Juror Characteristics and Attitudes as Predictors of Verdict; Pretrial Publicity as a Source of Bias; An Overview of Trial Procedure

12.00

Unit III:

Criminal Profiling & Psychological Autopsies:

Eyewitness Identification & Testimony; Lie Detection: The Complexity & Pervasiveness of Deception, The Polygraph, From Physiological Arousal to Cognitive Load, Some Emerging Technologies for Lie Detection

12.00

Unit IV:

Interrogations & Confessions:

The Power of a Confession; The Evolution of Interrogation Techniques; Inside the Modern Interrogation Room; The Problem of False Confessions; Interrogators Lying; Potential Solutions to the Problem of False Confessions

12.00

Unit V:

Competency to Stand Trial:

Meaning; CST Versus Competency to Plead Guilty & Competency to Waive an Attorney; Dealing with Incompetent Defendants; Methods for Evaluating CST; CST Evaluations and Ultimate Issue Testimony by Experts; Restoration of CST;

Adolescents & CST

Essential Readings:

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2006). Current perspectives in forensic psychology and criminal justice. Sage Publications, Inc.
Batchman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2008). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice. London: Sage.
Costanzo, M., & Krauss, D. (2010). Forensic and legal psychology. Macmillan.
Haward, L. (1981). Forensic psychology. London: Batsford Academic and Educational Ltd.
Howitt, D. (2002). Forensic and criminal psychology. New Delhi, India: Prentice Hall.
Loftus, E. F. (1996). Eyewitness testimony: With a new preface. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A (2018). Forensic Psychology. Pearson Canada Inc.
Ross, F. D., Read, D. J., & Toglia, M. P. (1994). Adult eyewitness testimony. New York: Cambridge University Press.

References:

Costanzo, M., & Krauss, D. (2010). Forensic and legal psychology. Macmillan.
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2006). Current perspectives in forensic psychology and criminal justice. Sage Publications, Inc.
Batchman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2008). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice. London: Sage.
Haward, L. (1981). Forensic psychology. London: Batsford Academic and Educational Ltd.
Howitt, D. (2002). Forensic and criminal psychology. New Delhi, India: Prentice Hall.
Loftus, E. F. (1996). Eyewitness testimony: With a new preface. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A (2018). Forensic Psychology. Pearson Canada Inc.
Ross, F. D., Read, D. J., & Toglia, M. P. (1994). Adult eyewitness testimony. New York: Cambridge University Press.

E-Resources: