Forensic Psychology

Paper Code: 
DPSY 711
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Learning Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

  
 

On completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO70: Developing an understanding how various theories and principles of psychology are applied in the court of law and criminal justice system.

CO71: Understanding the roles of forensic psychologists and psychologists in court, and demonstrating knowledge of key issues in forensic psychology including eyewitness testimony and false confession.

CO72: Developing a working knowledge and understanding of the basic theory and methods of investigation used in forensic psychology with an emphasis on crime scene analysis and forensic psychological tools.

CO73: Learning about the forensic interviewing with the help of advanced tools used in crime investigation.

CO74: Demonstrating ability to developing offender or criminal profiling

CO75: Demonstrating working knowledge of forensic report writing and providing psychological consultancy in forensic setting.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

  

 

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 & Psychology in courtroom:

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: 

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.

 

References: 

E Resources

  • ResearchGate
  • JSTOR
  • Proquest
  • Shodhganga
  • Delnet
  • Google Scholar
  • National Digital Library (NPTEL)
  • Academia

Journals

  • Journal of crminial Psychology
  • Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
  • Behavior Research Methods
  • International Interdisciplinary Research Journal
  • International Journal of Methodology
  • Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (JSIR)
  • Philosophy of the social sciences
  • Qualitative Psychology
  • School Psychology Review

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version