Forensic Sciences II

Code:

C309

Acronym:

CFOR I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S (since 15-02-2016 to 20-05-2016)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
C	45	Oficial Study Plan LC	3	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- Know the organization and main tasks of forensic services - Know the legal framework of forensic expertise - Know the prevailing disorders in forensic psychiatry and its implications for psychiatric forensic expertise - To frame the relation between behavioral sciences and law, especially those that are implicated in the discipline of "forensic psychology"; - Know methods, techniques and tools for psychological and neuropsychological evaluation and risk assessment in forensic settings; - Knowing the specificities of psychological assessment in criminal and juvenile delinquency justice systems; - Being able to reflect about the legal, ethical and professional conduct aspects in forensic settings

 

Learning outcomes and competences

- know the organization of forensic services and the framework of expert activity; - know about the forensic psychology and forensic psychiatry fields; - Know about best practices in forensic psychological assessment; - Acquire basic knowledge and Identify the main instruments used in forensic settings (assessment of cognitive ability, neuropsychological assessment tasks, personality assessment batteries, symptom evaluation and tasks for the assessment of the risk of recidivism); - Recognize the essential requirements for ethical and professional conduct.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I – Legal-medicine and forensic services • Legal-medicine and forensic expertise • The procedural statute of the Expert • Specific procedural aspects of expert evidence • The forensic investigation in the event of death • Questions regarding DNA profiles Base • Forensic psychiatric expertise

II - Forensic Psychology • Forensic psychologic assessment • Evaluation in forensic and clinical contexts • Assessment methods: clinical methods; risk assessment tools• Expert role and expert reports • Ethical issues

III - Forensic Neuropsychological Assessment • key brain structures involved in antisocial behavior • Main neuropsychological instruments

IV - Psychological evaluation in criminal processes and in the juvenile justice system • Personality expertise• Evaluation of eyewitness testimony • Assessment of child victims of maltreatment and sexual abuse

Mandatory literature

Andrews D. A. 1941-; The^psychology of criminal conduct. ISBN: 1-59345-321-3
Blackburn Ronald; The^psychology of criminal conduct. ISBN: 0-471-96175-2
Hess Allen K. 340; The^handbook of forensic psychology. ISBN: 0-471-17771-7
Ackerman Marc J.; Essentials of forensic psychological assessment. ISBN: 0-471-33186-4
Bartol Curt R. 1940-; Psychology and law. ISBN: 0-534-16320-3
Fonseca António Castro 340; Psicologia e justiça. ISBN: 978-972-40-3728-8
Matos Marlene 340; Manual de psicologia forense. ISBN: 978-989-8333-07-0
Fonseca, A. Castro...[et al.]; Psicologia forense. ISBN: 9789724028538
Gunn John; Forensic psychiatry. ISBN: 0-7506-2317-9
Andrews Don A.; The^level of service inventory-revised (LSI-R)
Hare Robert D.; Psychopathy checklist-revised (PCL-R)
Towl Graham J. 070; Dictionary of forensic psychology. ISBN: 978-1-84392-295-7
Patrick, C. J.; The Handbook of Psychopathy, The Guilford Press, 2006. ISBN: 1-59-385591-5
Halligan, P. W.; Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, Oxford University Press., 2003. ISBN: 0-19-850801-8
Brown Jennifer M. 340; The^Cambridge handbook of forensic psychology. ISBN: 978-0521-87809-8
McGuire James; Understanding psychology and crime. ISBN: 0-335-21119-4
Cardoso Carlos Mota; Nódoas na alma. ISBN: 978-989-616-240-5
Hilton N. Zoe; Risk assessment for domestically violent men. ISBN: 978-1-4338-0466-3
Towl Graham J. 070; Dictionary of forensic psychology. ISBN: 978-1-84392-295-7
Hollin Clive R.; Psychology and crime
Bartol Curt R. 1940- 340; Current perspectives in forensic psychology and criminal behavior. ISBN: 978-1-4129-9244-2
Doren Dennis M.; Evaluating sex offenders. ISBN: 0-7619-2114-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes, in which the exposition of theoretical knowledge will be combined with practical exercises.

In the practical exercises, during which students will be organized in small groups, particular emphasis will be given to issues related to psychological and risk assessment in forensic settings. Simulated exercises include evaluation processes, data collection (interviews, standardized tools) and reports.

During laboratorial classes, students will practice the use of the specific instruments.

The continuous evaluation will consider a written report, as well as its presentation during classes.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

(CE*0,25)+(E*0,75) CE - Continuous Evaluation; E - Exams