Forensic Clinical Psychology 16/09/2018 Dr. Shirley Radford

Forensic Psychology ‘The collection, examination and presentation of psychological evidence for judicial purposes’ (Gudjonnson and Haward, 1998) ‘The provision of psychological methods to a task faced by the legal system’ (Wrightsman, 2001) 16/09/2018

Forensic Clinical Psychology The application of clinical psychology to assist clients involved in legal processes: Criminal and civil proceedings Usually a mental health element less concerned with systems and processes than forensic psychology More concerned with the individuals involved 16/09/2018

Knowledge Base Psychology Criminology Penology Law Sociology Psychiatry 16/09/2018

Theories Criminological Sociological Biogenetic Physiological Psychodynamic Behavioural Cognitive-behavioural Social learning 16/09/2018

Legal framework Mental Health Act 1983 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1994 Woolf Reforms 1999 Mental Health Act Reforms (2001-) 16/09/2018

Psychological Context of Offending Gender issues ‘Neurotic’ problems Psychotic episodes Social dysfunction Stress-related offending 16/09/2018

Psychopathic or other personality disorders Opportunistic behaviour Substance (mis) use Organic problems Psychopathic or other personality disorders Opportunistic behaviour 16/09/2018

Social Context of Offending Income/poverty Family dynamics Employment status Educational level Social milieu and networks Abuse/trauma Attachments 16/09/2018

Assessment Issues Genetic factors Medical history Psychiatric history Acquired disabilities Socio-economic status Intellectual development Emotional attachments 16/09/2018

Socialisation Family dynamics Abuse/trauma Personality Attitudes/beliefs Moral development Life events 16/09/2018

Where do forensic referrals come from? At risk behaviour Offence(s) Arrest/remand Trial Disposal: Prison Special hospital RSU Open Hospital Community 16/09/2018

Range of forensic cases Murder/manslaughter Serious/persistent violence Intra-familial abuse Arson Sexual violence Paraphilic behaviour 16/09/2018

Addiction-related crime Stalking/harassment Hoaxes/malicious complaints ‘out of character ‘offending Post trauma/compensation 16/09/2018

Assessment Roles Cognitive: (inc.mental capacity, witness competence) Neuropsychological ( e.g. compensation claims) Individual differences (Personality, attitudes, treatability) Change (response to therapy) Impact of events (PTSD, post accident) Risk Assessment Management advice 16/09/2018

Treatment Roles Individual: Supportive counselling Motivational interviewing CBT, CAT, Psychotherapy, behavioural etc. Ward based programmes 16/09/2018

Stress and Anger management Social skills/assertiveness Group Therapy: Stress and Anger management Social skills/assertiveness Offending/relapse prevention Cognitive skills/problem/solving Substance misuse 16/09/2018

Service Roles Developing therapeutic regimes and programmes Staff education and training Supervision Service and Research Governance Inter-agency liaison Research Consultancy 16/09/2018

Outpatient Clinics Sexual offenders/abusers Anger management Repetitive/compulsive offences e.g. shoplifting, twoc. Delinquency secondary to gambling/drinking 16/09/2018

Risk assessments re: familial violence, sexual deviance Other psycho-legal issues Supportive management of PD clients and fragile MH cases etc Difficult role with high drop out and non-attendance rates 16/09/2018

Inter-agency work Prisons: remand cases, discretionary life sentence reviews Probation: condition of treatment cases, risk management meetings Social Services: risk assessments Voluntary agencies: victim support groups, hostels Police: rare: e.g. independent inquiries 16/09/2018

What’s distinctive about Forensic Clinical Psychology Criminal behaviour? Involvement in legal processes? Theoretical orientation? Therapeutic values and goals? Relationship to client/patient? Relationship to other disciplines? Serving the public interest? Roles? Ethics? Confidentiality? 16/09/2018