Dr.

Nazish Idrees 11/03/2024

FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction of a forensic psychologist

Roles and Responsibilities

Ethical Guidelines

Cross-Cultural Perspective
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WELCOME TO THE
LEARNING RULES
 Make groups of 5 students each
maximum
 Everyone must have a notebook and
writing tools
 Everyone must participate in class
activities
 Weekly activities must be assigned and
completed
 Weekly submissions will be evaluated for
internal assessments
 Break is strictly of 20 minutes after 80
minutes from the start of the class
 Attendance is taken twice, only 5-10
minutes late is allowed with genuine
reasons
 During class there will be no visits or
work from other courses are entertained
 Phones must be in bags at silent or do
not disturb
 Make sure you enter in class active,
hydrated and must have eaten your meal
 Dr. Nazish Idrees 11/03/2024

DR. NAZISH IDREES

PhD. Clinical Psychology

Certifications-NLP and Hypnosis, DBT, Couple/Family Therapy, Addiction Professional, Nutritional & Diet Advisor

International Projects and Events, University Years…

Course Outline & Semester Roadmap

Overview and Discussion

25 Mids-
10 Quiz/Project-
10 Presentation-
10 Class Activity-
05 Attendance-
40 Final

50% MCQs and 50% SEQ’s

 Objective of the lesson-

To understand the concept of the forensic psychology,

scope of experts in the field and ethical considerations
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Table of Contents-

Forensic Psychology: Introduction and Overview

-What is Forensic Psychology?
-Forensic Psychologists: Roles and responsibilities
- Forensic and society -Guidelines and ethics for
forensic psychologists
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FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
• Crime in everyday life
• Role of media such as newspapers,
books and TV
• Philosophers started understanding
the antisocial behaviors
• Students of criminal law and justice
struggle with interviews, eye
witnesses authenticity
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FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
DEFINITION
According to American Psychological
Association (APA)

• Forensic psychology is a specialty in

professional psychology characterized by
activities primarily intended to provide
professional psychological expertise within
the judicial and legal systems.
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10 SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Advanced Scientific and Theoretical Knowledge

Germane to the Specialty
• The distinctiveness of forensic psychology is its advanced
knowledge and skills reflecting the intersection of legal
theory, procedures and law with clinical issues, practice
and ethics.

Problems
• Problems presented by the clinical-forensic population
span the entire clinical spectrum within a legal context
that may result in civil and criminal legal questions that
courts must ultimately decide.
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11 PROCEDURES

The description and measurement of capacities relevant to

legal questions is an important goal in forensic psychology.

As a result, the forensic specialist attempts to create relevant,

accurate, and credible data and conclusions that inform legal
arguments and judicial decision-making without imposing an
opinion regarding the ultimate issue before the court.

In addition, there is a special focus on the need to clarify

conflicts between psychological ethical standards and the
demands of law. The synthesis of psychological and legal
issues distinguishes forensic populations from other
specialties.
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A BRIEF HISTORY
• Hugo Münsterberg (1863–1916) is often
referred to as the founding father of forensic
psychology. He is the pioneer for the application
of psychology to matters concerning the court of
law.

• The German psychologist was invited to America

in 1892 by William James to set up a
psychological laboratory at Harvard University.
Münsterberg’s insistence that psychology could
be applied to education, industry, and law During
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FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST

• Forensic psychologists are concerned with

evidence (in terms of methodologies for
gathering robust data and appropriate methods
of analysis) upon which to base appropriate
theories and practice.
• Examples are:
• Intelligence testing, competence evaluation, and
psychological in criminal cases. Custody evaluations,
including parental and child evaluations. Threat
evaluations in schools. Counseling for victims and
perpetrators of crimes.
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CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGIST
• Criminal psychology is a specialized branch of psychology that
focuses on understanding the thoughts, intentions, actions and
reactions of individuals who engage in criminal behavior. This
field encompasses the psychological assessment of people
within the criminal justice system, aiming to understand their
behavior and predict potential future offenses.

• Criminal psychologists aid the justice system by analyzing

criminal minds to identify patterns, motivations or triggers for
criminal actions. Their insights help in developing effective
methods for profiling and apprehending offenders.
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DIFFERENTIATE

• So, the key difference lies in their focus areas

—criminal psychology primarily deals with
understanding criminal behavior to aid law
enforcement, while forensic psychology often
involves directly interacting with the legal
system to address various psychological
aspects of legal cases.
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CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Correctional psychology is a sub-system of forensic psychology and a

correctional psychologists is involved in the legal system and deal
with
mentally ill persons in the prisons and other correctional institutions.
It is
applied to law, in order to resolve legal, contractual and
administrative
matters. It is applied to the justice system to inform the
classification,
treatment, and management of offenders to reduce risk and improve
public
safety.
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Activity
_______________psychology is the application of
psychology in the legal system. It covers a wide
range of work, which does not always involve
therapy. For example, it can include completing
assessments of accused persons, or giving
advice to police officers about criminal
behavior during investigations.

Support your answer with 2 reasons!

5 minutes activity
Differentiate between forensic, criminal and
correctional psychology.
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FINDING A FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGIST
• In the majority of cases, people who are in contact with forensic
psychologists are not necessarily able to choose who they work
with. That said, all forensic psychologists should have:
• Current license: All forensic psychologists should have a current
license. This means that your therapist has completed the
appropriate level of education to practice.
• Specialized training: Forensic psychologists will have completed
specialized training in forensic psychology. In the United States,
The American Board of Forensic Psychology is the regulator of
certification in the field.
• Awareness of the limits of confidentiality: Usually, all aspects
of therapy remain confidential, unless there is a risk issue. Because
of the nature of forensic psychology, the same limits do not always
apply. Ask your forensic psychologist what kind of information will
remain private, and what information they may need to disclose in
the legal system.
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SESSION
• Given the varied range of services offered by forensic
psychologists, this really depends!
• If the psychologist is providing therapy, a session might look
a lot like a usual therapy session, depending on the therapy
type. The psychologist works with you to build a therapeutic
relationship and helps you to change your thoughts, feelings
and behavior. You’re likely to see them more than once for
therapy.
• If, on the other hand, the psychologist is court-appointed to
provide a psychological assessment, they may only see you
for one or two sessions. They won’t provide therapy or
treatment. Instead, they’ll ask you lots of questions and will
likely ask you to complete questionnaires. The psychologist
uses this information to write a report, which is submitted as
evidence.
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LIST OF SERVICES
• Forensic psychologists work with offenders or people identified as at-risk of
offending, as well as family members or victims of crime. A range of services falls
under the category of forensic psychology, such as:
• Psychological assessment of accused persons, which might be used as
evidence in court
• Providing psychological treatment to inmates in prison to help them to change
their behavior (anger management, for example)
• Using psychological principals to understand criminal behavior and assist police
with investigations
• Giving advice to other services, such as parole boards
• Providing help or counseling to colleagues in the legal system
• Providing crisis management
• Make recommendations in court relating to child custody, or whether a person
can be deemed responsible for their actions, for example
• Giving expert opinions as evidence in court
• Acting as mediators or negotiators
• Research
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29 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Although their exact responsibilities depend on their role
and the case they are handling, forensic psychologists
typically are in charge of:
• Assessing individuals to determine their mental capacity to
stand trial
• Evaluating the likelihood of an individual reoffending and
providing these assessments to courts to inform
sentencing and parole decisions
• Providing specialized knowledge in court regarding mental
health issues that affect legal decisions, such as the
insanity defense
• Offering psychological support to victims of crime, helping
them cope with the trauma and emotional aftermath
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EDUCATION
• Forensic psychology education typically starts at the
undergraduate level with a bachelor's degree in psychology,
criminology or a related field. Following this, individuals
interested in advancing their knowledge and opening up more
career opportunities may pursue a
master's in forensic psychology.
• Ultimately, to practice as a forensic psychologist, most
professionals must acquire a doctoral degree in psychology
specializing in forensic issues. This level of specialized
education is necessary to gain deep insights into the complex
interplay between psychology and law, preparing them to
handle intricate cases involving mental health and legal
questions effectively.
• For those looking to specialize further or aim for higher-tier
positions, a certificate in forensic psychology offers a targeted
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SKILLS

• Forensic psychologists must possess a broad set of skills

tailored to navigating the complexities of legal cases
and the dynamics of the courtroom, such as:
• Proficiency in understanding legal procedures,
terminology and the overall legal system
• The ability to make informed decisions that adhere to
both psychological and legal ethical standards
• Skill in presenting psychological findings effectively and
credibly in a courtroom setting
• Expertise in conducting thorough psychological
evaluations in a legal context
• Ability to provide immediate psychological support in
emergencies within the legal system
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ETHICS

• Professional responsibilities in forensic psychology

typically refer to the tasks and obligations associated
with the role of the forensic psychologist. They could
involve assessment, treatment, consultation, or
expert witness testimony.

• Conversely, ethical boundaries denote the moral

principles and values that guide the forensic
psychologist’s conduct, aiming to protect the rights,
dignity, and welfare of all individuals involved, such as
clients, attorneys, and the court.
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DOMAINS

• Professional responsibility: Often guided by

guidelines, regulations, and competencies outlined by
professional organisations and legal standards,
professional responsibility emphasises delivering
competent services, continuous professional
development, and maintaining professional
boundaries.

• Ethical accountability: This extends beyond

compliance with specified rules. It is concerned with
the core principles of respect for individuals' rights and
dignity, fair treatment, integrity, professional
competence, and social responsibility.
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• Conflicting pressures in forensic

psychology predominantly arise
from potential clashes between
CONFLICTING legal obligations and
PRESSURES professional or ethical duties.
Dual role conflicts, issues
around confidentiality, and
informed consent represent the
various pressured situations
encountered within forensic
psychology.
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Some strategies deployed by practitioners to effectively

navigate these pressures include:

Referring to, and strictly adhering to, the ethical guidelines

provided by their professional associations and regulating
4 NAVIGATING bodies.

1 THE Engaging in regular ethics-focused training and discussions

PRESSURES to keep updated about evolving norms and standards.

Consulting with colleagues, superiors, or ethics committees

to seek guidance when faced with uncertain or challenging
ethical scenarios.

Ultimately, the aim is to strike a balance, ensuring that the

sanctity of ethical principles is maintained without
compromising on professional responsibilities. It remains the
fulcrum on which the robust and credible practice of forensic
psychology hinges.
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Terms such as "informed consent" and

"confidentiality" take on unique complexity within
a forensic setting.

Informed consent refers to the agreement of the

individual undergoing the personality assessment,
having been made aware of the nature, purpose,
and potential consequences of the assessment.
However, in a forensic context, this may conflict
with legal obligations.
ISSUES IN 4
PERSONALITY 3
ASSESSMENT
S

Confidentiality, the principle of non-disclosure of

information without the consent of the individual,
may be challenged during court proceedings where
disclosure might be legally mandated.
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ETHICAL DILEMMAS

• The collision of ethical principles with legal obligations

often results in ethical dilemmas that forensic
psychologists need to navigate conscientiously. This, in
turn, emphasises the suo moto requirement of ongoing
ethical training in this field.
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• Potential breaches of ethics in

personality testing can take several
forms. Common types of breaches
include inappropriate test use,
inaccurate interpretation and reporting,

POTENTIAL violation of the principles of informed

consent and confidentiality, and dual-
BREACHES role conflicts.

OF ETHICS IN • Inappropriate test use: These could

arise from testing beyond one's area of
PERSONALIT competence, using outdated tests or
Y TESTING incorrectly administering a test.
• Inaccurate interpretation and
reporting: Misinterpretation of test
scores or reporting results without
considering limitations can misleadingly
influence legal outcomes.

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• Violation of informed consent and

confidentiality: Assisting without adequate informed
consent or sharing confidential information without a
valid legal or ethical reason can lead to ethical
breaches.

• Dual-role conflicts: The forensic psychologist is

challenged with multiple roles, each with its specific
responsibilities, resulting in potential conflicts that can
compromise ethical standards.
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PRINCIPLES GUIDING ETHICAL
PRACTICE IN PERSONALITY TESTING
• Forensic psychologists need to adhere to specific principles to
ensure ethical practice in personality assessment. These
principles are often outlined in ethical guidelines established by
professional organisations such as the British Psychological
Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council
(HCPC) in the UK. They include respect for the dignity and
autonomy of persons, competent practice, integrity, and social
responsibility.
• Respect for the dignity and autonomy of persons: This
principle enforces the need for informed consent, protection of
confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
• Competent practice: Forensic psychologists should conduct
assessments only within their area of professional competence,
which includes using valid and reliable testing tools and
interpreting results accurately.
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• Integrity: Honest, accurate, and straightforward reporting

and communication of assessment results are crucial.
• Social responsibility: Practitioners should consider their
obligations to the community. They should strive to ensure
their services contribute positively to the judicial system
and society.
• By adhering to these ethical principles in all phases of
personality assessment, ranging from test selection and
administration to result interpretation and reporting,
forensic psychologists not only stay aligned with
professional expectations but also uphold the stature of the
profession.
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EXAMINING CASE STUDY

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• A renowned case that highlights several ethical issues

is the 'Tarasoff vs. Regents of the University of
California' case. In this legal case, a client of a
psychologist at the university made threats towards a
young woman, Tatiana Tarasoff. The psychologists
decided to warn the police but did not notify the
intended victim or her family despite knowing the
identity of the potential victim. The said client later
killed Tatiana, leading to subsequent litigation. The
case resulted in a significant shift in the American
legal system - a duty for therapists and psychiatrists to
violate confidentiality and warn intended victims if
they believe their client poses an imminent threat.
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RESOLVING ISSUES

• Case studies offer a wealth of knowledge in understanding ethical issues

encountered in forensic psychology practice. They depict real-world
scenarios where forensic psychologists are required to make critical
decisions. Analysing such case studies often unveils the ethical dilemmas
that arise between professional responsibilities and ethical guidelines.

• This case underscores dreadful ethical challenges, including the conflict

between maintaining client confidentiality and protecting potential victims
from harm, which forensic psychologists might encounter in their practice.
Additional dilemmas concern inadequate informed consent procedures
and the possibility of false-positive predictions resulting in unnecessary
warnings and breaches of confidentiality.
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RESOLVING ETHICAL ISSUES:
LESSONS FROM CASE STUDIES

• Resolving ethical dilemmas demands careful consideration of

various factors.
• The ethical decisions are guided by principles instantiated in
professional codes of conduct along with situational factors
and legal constraints.
• Lessons drawn from case studies provide invaluable insights
that can inform ethical decision-making in future cases.
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CONTINUED-

• In response to the Tarasoff case cited earlier, many states in

the USA have now enacted laws requiring therapists to breach
confidentiality and warn potential victims when they believe
the client poses a grave threat. This is known as the \'Tarasoff
duty\' or \'duty to warn\’.

• The principle of 'duty to protect': In cases presenting a clear

and immediate danger to specific individuals, this principle
might stipulate breaching confidentiality to protect the
potential victim.
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CONTINUED-

• Collaborative decision-making:
• This involves considering multiple perspectives, including those
of the client, in determining the safest and most ethically sound
course of action.
• It could also involve consulting colleagues, ethics committees,
or legal counsel to seek further guidance.
• Use of professional judgement:
• Forensic psychologists need to use their professional judgement
when navigating complex ethical dilemmas, particularly when
clear-cut guidelines are not available.
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Class Activity Submission

Circulate the paper and

describe a paragraph
Regular Review
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Learning Outcomes:

We will be able to demonstrate the

knowledge about forensic psychology
and how to differentiate it from
criminal psychology with expertise to
identify ethical boundaries.
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Read and summarize this latest

paper

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT- COMPARISON OF OFFENDERS IN FORENSIC-

PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT OR PRISON IN GERMANY

HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM/SCIENCE/ARTICLE/ABS/PII/S0160252719300445
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REFERENCES
 Khader, M. (2019). Crime and behaviour: An introduction to criminal and forensic psychology. World Scientific.

 Howitt, D. (2018). Introduction to forensic and Criminal Psychology. Pearson Education Limited.

 Evans III, B., & Hass, G. A. (2018). Forensic psychological assessment in immigration court: A guidebook for evidence-based and ethical practice.
Routledge.

 Gavin, H. (2018). Criminological and Forensic Psychology. Sage.

 ---

 Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology: Assessment & Examples. (n.d.). StudySmarter UK.
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/psychology/forensic-psychology/ethical-issues-in-forensic-psychology/

 https://zencare.co/mental-health/forensic-psychology

 University of North Dakota. (2024, August 14). Criminal Psychology vs. Forensic Psychology: Which to Choose?
https://und.edu/blog/criminal-psychology-vs-forensic-psychology.html

 https://doi.org/10.1080/14999011003635639

 https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160252719300445

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3-p1QnHrVk
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
• Week 1 Introduction
• Week 2 Ethical Practice
• Week 3 Types and Theories
• Week 4 Group Presentations on a case study-ethical
• Week 5 Make up class in advance-Crime and Psychopathology
• Week 6 Guest Lecture on November 2
• Week 7 Alternatives to Incarceration
• Mid Term
• Week 8 Criminal Profiling
• Week 9 Group presentations on a case study
• Week 10 Personality Assessment and evaluation
• Week 11 Interrogative interviews and eye witness testimony
• Week 12 Risk Assessment
• Week 13 Cross cultural research
• Week 14 Psychotherapy in forensic settings
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THANK YOU!
Dr. Nazish Idrees 11/03/2024