E3c1 The job of a forensic psychologist

Be ready to answer a question on the role of a forensic psychologist based on: Who they might work for

What they do

Skills and qualifications required

Chartered status

Treatments they offer

What they doWork in the courts to uncover psychological issues

Looks at psychological aspects of criminal activity

Looks at psychological issues to do with treating criminals.

Main tasksSets up and evaluates treatments

Offender behaviour – needs of the prisoner and staff

Research with other psychologists

Offender profiling

Give evidence in court and advise on parole boards.

Analysing crimes

Assess problems with other agencies, plan interventions and develop policy.

Who do they work with Manage and reduce stress of prisoners

Strategies to cope with bullying

Support witnesses and victims and help them to overcome their problems.

They ight work with judges and juries within the courts.

Examples of what they do. (Page 191)Advising prison governors about prisoners, staff, implementing change or other organisational issues.

Carrying out one-to-one assessments and treatments of prisoners as appropriate. Such an assessment may be requested by the court or by the prison governor.

Assessing the risk of reoffending. (often using on-to-one assessments and psychometric testing.

Presenting assessment findings to others in multi-agency working.

Cont. Carrying out research projects, for example looking at drop-out rates for probation or evaluating group programmes, such as anger management programmes in prison.

Doing crime analysis, such as using offender profiling. This is likely to be carried out to assist the police.

Training prison staff and others, e.g. managing behaviour or understanding mental health issues.

Evaluating and monitoring treatments.

Writing up notes and attending meetings.

The problem with Psychopathic disorders Key definitions

Psychopath: Person suffering from a chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behaviour.

If diagnosed with Psychopathic disorder they are defined as ‘having no guilt or conscience and showing behaviour that is very aggressive.’ Do not function normally with social norms.

It is debated whether is treatability. Often kept in secure hospitals to protect the public but not often treated.

◦ So should they be in prison or in hospital.

To be treatable the prisoner must show progress, but many with psychotic disorders are not able to do this.

The diagnosis of a psychotic disorderA person with a personality disorder might be given a diagnosis of Psychotic disorder.

◦ This might mean its not a real disorder

◦ Meaning its hard to diagnose

◦ Hard to treat.

Complete Quick check A

Question 1 and 2. Page 191