Course unit type

Specializing

Education activities

Forensic Psychology

Content

We start with an introductory chapter about the working field of forensic psychology and psychiatry. In this chapter we mark out the area of forensic diagnostics within the field of forensic psychology.

The second chapter deals with societal aspects, like internment and juridical matters. The relevant legislation is discussed and connected with current issues in society.
The third chapter treats the major challenges for the prison system (like overpopulation), the characteristics of the prison population and psychosocial aspects of detention. The fourth chapter describes psychosocial care within and outside of prisons. Special attention is given to victim aid. The fifth chapter deals with youth forensic psychiatry, in particular the facilities and the major pathologies in this area. The sixth chapter deals with general principles and characteristics of psychodiagnostics in forensic settings.

The seventh chapter gives an extensive overview of the major psychiatric disorders and some of the common forensic inquiries. We discus 1) mental handicaps, 2) psychotic disorders (manic psychosis, schizophrenia), 3) personality disorders (borderline, antisocial personality disorder), (4) sexually violent behaviour (and parafilia and pedophilia). In light of these clinical pictures we review the possibilities and limitations of traditional research instruments (WAIS, MMPI-2, Rorschach, Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines). The chapter closes with specific forensic research instruments (PCL-R, Risk Appraisal scales).

The last chapter deals with victims of crimes. We focus on traumatic experiences and post traumatic stress disorder. In diagnosing victims we distinguish between formal diagnostics and functional diagnostics. Formal diagnostics involves the psychodiagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder using psychological tests. In functional diagnostics we do not focus on the classification of disorders. The chapter concludes with considerations and problems in the psychodiagnostics of victims.

Study goals

• Generic competencies

• Profession-specific competencies

Prerequisites

• Previously required courses
  
  The student must have a basic knowledge of clinical psychology.

• Required competencies
  
  Have basic knowledge of psychometrics to assess psychological testing instruments.
  
  The student is able to conduct psychological research with basic instruments (WAIS-3, MMPI-2, Rorsach test).
  

Educational tools

• Type
  
  
  • Course material
  • Other: relevant basic articles
    
    
• Obligatory educational tools
  
  Course material and own notes made during lectures

• Recommended educational tools
  
  Scientific articles or texts from textbooks.

Teaching methods

• Types

• Lectures

• Description

The lectures are interactive, with a lot of examples, case material and video presentations. During some lessons the students will discuss some topics in smaller groups or comment on case material.

Assessment

• Types

• Written exam, closed book.
  
  

• Description

The written exam consists of five or six questions concerning insight, knowledge, and application of knowledge. During the course the students will receive practice test questions to get an image of the exam.

Teaching support

There is a possibility for questions before or after the lectures and during the breaks.