Forensic Psychology Disorders Unit

Forensic Psychology One of the fastest growing areas of psychology 1eWyghttps:// 1eWyg TtE3vAhttps:// TtE3vA One of the fastest growing areas of psychology 1eWyghttps:// 1eWyg TtE3vAhttps:// TtE3vA

Forensic Psychology Definition: The application of psychology to legal matters in a court of law. Definition: The application of psychology to legal matters in a court of law.

Forensic Psychology Mental health aspects of psychology

Clinical Psychologists Assessment and treatment of persons with mental disorders. Forensic Psych: context of the criminal or civil arenas of law. Examples: personal injury suits, civil commitment proceedings, child custody disputes, or workers’ compensation cases. Assessment and treatment of persons with mental disorders. Forensic Psych: context of the criminal or civil arenas of law. Examples: personal injury suits, civil commitment proceedings, child custody disputes, or workers’ compensation cases.

Clinical continues Examples: pleading insanity, issues of competency, assessment of future violence potential during sentencing, or treatment of sex offenders. Examples: pleading insanity, issues of competency, assessment of future violence potential during sentencing, or treatment of sex offenders.

Where are the jobs? Jails Prisons State hospitals Federal and local law enforcement agencies Community mental health centers Juvenile detention facilities Private practice Jails Prisons State hospitals Federal and local law enforcement agencies Community mental health centers Juvenile detention facilities Private practice College and Universities

Criminal Profiling Employ by law enforcement personnel. Many forensic psychology graduate programs do not favorably evaluate applications from students whose sole interest is in criminal profiling. Employ by law enforcement personnel. Many forensic psychology graduate programs do not favorably evaluate applications from students whose sole interest is in criminal profiling.

Training in Forensic Psychology Must be a good Clinical Psychologists Practice in a mental health setting Psychopathology, assessment, and psychotherapy. Know the scientific difference between criminal and noncriminal. Must be a good Clinical Psychologists Practice in a mental health setting Psychopathology, assessment, and psychotherapy. Know the scientific difference between criminal and noncriminal.

Training in F.P. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago is the largest forensic psychology school in Illinois. As a forensic psychologist in Illinois you can expect to earn anywhere from less than $38,010 per year to more than $94,868 per year. Forensic Psychologists in Illinois earn a median yearly salary of $59,553. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago is the largest forensic psychology school in Illinois. As a forensic psychologist in Illinois you can expect to earn anywhere from less than $38,010 per year to more than $94,868 per year. Forensic Psychologists in Illinois earn a median yearly salary of $59,553.

Criminal Profiling notes 1957 George Metesky Dr. James Brussell “The Sherlock Holmes of the couch” 1957 George Metesky Dr. James Brussell “The Sherlock Holmes of the couch”

FBI 1974 Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) Refining Brussell’s techniques Profiles can narrow the focus 1974 Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) Refining Brussell’s techniques Profiles can narrow the focus

Historical footnote Jack the Ripper considered to be the “first serial killer”…..labeled, investigated, and analyzed. London, August-November Killed five women, never caught. Jack the Ripper considered to be the “first serial killer”…..labeled, investigated, and analyzed. London, August-November Killed five women, never caught.

Difference b/w Mass Murderers and Serial Killers Mass Murderers Apprehended/killed/ Commit suicide/etc. Viewed as someone who “snaps” Kills groups of people at once Source: BSU Mass Murderers Apprehended/killed/ Commit suicide/etc. Viewed as someone who “snaps” Kills groups of people at once Source: BSU Serial Killers Elude detection Viewed as “sinister” Individualizes the murders

Difference B/W Psychopaths and Sociopaths Psychopaths: –Afflicted w/ ASPD/CD –Lack conscious –Flat affect –Superficial charm –Tend to make good 1 st impressions –Callous relationships –Blame others for their actions –Impulsive Psychopaths: –Afflicted w/ ASPD/CD –Lack conscious –Flat affect –Superficial charm –Tend to make good 1 st impressions –Callous relationships –Blame others for their actions –Impulsive Sociopaths: –Manipulate their surroundings (social environment). –Leader who can get good people to do bad things. –Do not have conduct disorder/but some ASPD –Charles Manson and Hitler

The Macdonald Triad Three Common Childhood Behaviors seen in Many Serial Killers. Comes from a 1963 research paper called “The Threat to Kill”, written by forensic psychiatrist J.M. Macdonald. Study involved 48 violent psychotic patients and 52 non-psychotic patients (both had threatened or had hurt/kill someone). Three Common Childhood Behaviors seen in Many Serial Killers. Comes from a 1963 research paper called “The Threat to Kill”, written by forensic psychiatrist J.M. Macdonald. Study involved 48 violent psychotic patients and 52 non-psychotic patients (both had threatened or had hurt/kill someone).

Findings three common behaviors during childhood can point to murder-prone children: 1.bed wetting past the age of five 2.animal cruelty 3. fire-setting FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit has offered evidence of the Triad's veracity! three common behaviors during childhood can point to murder-prone children: 1.bed wetting past the age of five 2.animal cruelty 3. fire-setting FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit has offered evidence of the Triad's veracity!

Eric Smith (Aug. 2, 1993) At 13 he bludgeoned with a 26lb. rock, strangled 4 year old Derrick Robie. Eric SmithDerrick Robie At 13 he bludgeoned with a 26lb. rock, strangled 4 year old Derrick Robie. Eric SmithDerrick Robie

Typologies of Serial Murders Minimum of 3-4 victims Cooling off period Pattern Common factors among the victims Typical white male Source: (BSU) Minimum of 3-4 victims Cooling off period Pattern Common factors among the victims Typical white male Source: (BSU)

Two Types of Predators Disorganized Predator: Use whatever weapons are available. Opportunistic (don’t plan their attacks) Make no effort to conceal their crime Hunt near their home base/may know the victim Disorganized Predator: Use whatever weapons are available. Opportunistic (don’t plan their attacks) Make no effort to conceal their crime Hunt near their home base/may know the victim Organized Predator: Bring their tools with them Hunt away from their home base/usually strangers Take the time to conceal the body and remove evidence.

FBI: Definitions (Robert Keppel) Souvenirs = clothing, jewelry or other personal items taken from a victim that the killer keeps to enjoy the memories of the crime. Trophy = commands a place of honor. It can become something of a shrine.

Types of murders On the white board: three broad types studied by Forensic Psychologists

FBI 1984 National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) Spawned an entertainment sub-genre based on “mind-hunters” Profiles can narrow the focus 1984 National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) Spawned an entertainment sub-genre based on “mind-hunters” Profiles can narrow the focus