MSc MSC APPLIED FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY F/T

This module addresses three areas of advanced forensic psychology:1) The development of neuroethics as a body of work to understand and monitor the implications of neuroscience in terms of legal and social responsibility.2) A critical appreciation of some of the ethical dilemmas that are faced by forensic psychologists in their practice within criminal and civil contexts, and an understanding of how research has informed changes in specific aspects of forensic psychology practice over the last 50 years.3) Biological aspects of criminal behaviour including the role of epigenetics in the development of psychopathology and offending, and how catathymic processes and crises drive an individual towards criminal action.

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This module introduces you to advanced research skills in psychology and the social sciences. The content of this module covers three related areas:1) Quantitative research, including applying multivariate statistical analysis techniques using appropriate software (e.g. principal components analysis, SEM, cluster analysis)2) Qualitative research, including methods for collecting and analysing qualitative data (e.g. interviewing, focus groups, documentary analysis etc.).3) Research ethicsYou will have the opportunity to explore these topics across a variety of research examples from criminology and forensic psychology.

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In this module you will learn how to undertake research in an area related to applied (i.e. forensic) psychological practice. You will work independently with a supervisor to pursue your own individual research on a topic relevant to your programme of study and produce a dissertation which will demonstrate your reflective learning, including how your research contributes to existing knowledge and practice nationally and internationally.You will develop skills in planning, researching and writing your final dissertation. It will develop your skills in scholarly writing, systematic literature reviewing and research methods. It will develop your independent learning through the completion of a 10,000 (+/- 10%) word dissertation on a topic of your choosing that is relevant to your Masters programme.Following Advanced Research Skills, this module seeks to help extend your skills and abilities within advanced psychological research. The module is assessed through a single dissertation with three key elements; a systematic review (SR) of the literature - this may take the form of a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) - and an Empirical Project (EP) and a critical reflective narrative. The systematic review and the empirical project should be linked by a critical, narrative commentary that describes the relationship between the SR/REA and the Empirical Project, and that provides a critically reflective account of the strengths and weaknesses of the overall project and implications for future personal and professional development (approx. 1,000 words).Within the dissertation, the final submission of the SR/REA and the Empirical Project should be formatted to the requirements of relevant journals. You are required to assume a deep, systematic, critical and innovative stance in exploring a topic of relevance to applied forensic psychology.

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This module offers a comprehensive overview of current issues, debates and challenges in applied forensic psychology. The module provides a series of research seminars to be delivered by professionals actively conducting research or practising within a range of services that interface with the Criminal Justice and Civil Courts Systems in Scotland. For each seminar a practitioner will describe, analyse and critically engage with a current topic within his/her specialism. Topics will be underpinned by theoretical explanation and consideration of best practice. Module content will enable you to engage with a wide range of current topics and applications in forensic psychology. In class discussion, you will explore a variety of research methods and theoretical frameworks and will discuss tensions or challenges in working within policy at a national and international level. The module will provide a unique opportunity for you to interact with leading experts and academics in the most currently debated issues and areas of practice in forensic psychology.Current issues in applied forensic psychology could include for example: personality and crime; biological approaches in psychology; the use of psychometrics in relation to establishing responsivity and/or fitness to plead; power dynamics in criminal justice; witness and suspect interviewing; offender profiling; violence risk assessment; psychological trauma in forensic populations; offender rehabilitation; punitiveness and restorative justice; victims? rights and protection; interpersonal violence; globalisation, terrorism and human rights.

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You will learn what research and practice have shown us are criminogenic risk factors for a variety of serious offence types, about which forensic psychologists provide advice and assessment in both criminal and civil cases. You will then learn about the Structured Professional Judgement risk assessment tools that are used by forensic psychologists working in both criminal and civil cases to look for, and assess the impact of, those risk factors in individuals. You will learn about the use of other psychometric tools which enable us to construct a formulation of an individual that includes responsivity factors such as intelligence. You will be shown how to conduct a forensic interview in a manner that establishes rapport between the psychologist and the individual, while encouraging the individual to provide as much accurate, relevant information as possible about themselves, about their life experiences, and about their offending and/or harmful behaviours. Using all of the skills and knowledge that you have developed thus far, you will then interview, and conduct a Structured Professional Judgement assessment of, a fictitious but realistic serious offender. Following this, you will learn how approaches to treating and managing convicted offenders have evolved over time, and the ways in which this approach can vary between countries and between jurisdictions. You will deliver a 10-minute section of therapeutically designed material to challenge offence specific/relevant cognitions and behaviours, in a way that helps you more fully understand the theoretical concepts behind the interventions used with offenders. After each practical exercise, you will be guided in writing a reflective practice diary entry capturing your thoughts and feelings about the experience. You will have the opportunity to seek formative feedback on your reflective pieces.

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1. To develop knowledge of UK criminal justice systems and the differences between them.2. To consider the role of psychologists within UK criminal justice systems.3. To provide a comprehensive overview of the interaction between psychology and the criminal justice system. 4. To develop a critical understanding of the role of psychological research in informing and enhancing practice.5. To consider differences between adversarial and inquisitorial legal systems.Indicative content includes: Eyewitness memory and identification of suspects; false and recovered memories; interviewing witnesses and suspects including vulnerable individuals; false confessions; false allegations; detection of deception; investigative and jury decision making; expert witnesses.

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This module comprises two work streams.Work stream 1: Risk in Forensic PopulationsRisk in Forensic Populations will explore the biological, social, and psychological risk factors that contribute, both individually and through interacting with one another, to risk of violence and other anti-social behaviours, which may manifest in criminal and/or family law cases. You will learn about the Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) approach to risk assessment in both criminal and civil cases, including the application of at least one SPJ risk assessment tool to a sample forensic case. You will develop the skills to construct, orally present, and be questioned in a mock multi-disciplinary risk management setting about, a formulation of a sample forensic case. A guest lecturer, who is an expert practitioner in their field, will present a critical evaluation of how risk is assessed, treated and managed in serious offenders in the UK. You will learn how to think and speak reflectively about your practice, and you will write a reflective diary entry relating to risk assessment and to risk management strategies in the UK.Work stream 2: WitnessesWitnesses will explore three investigative applications that are employed to obtain information from eyewitnesses: investigative interviewing (including UK models such as PEACE and PRICE), facial composite production, and eyewitness identification from CCTV footage. In each practical session you will develop a critical understanding of the psychological theories that underpin prescribed interviewing and identification practice. You will expand on this knowledge to explore and evaluate current trends in forensic research. In addition to your practical classes, you will engage with forensic policy and practice via guest lectures delivered by professional forensic practitioners.

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