1. Forensic Clinical Psychology
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Dr. Shirley Radford

2. 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)
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3. 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
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4. Knowledge Base Psychology Criminology Penology Law Sociology
Psychiatry
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5. Theories Criminological Sociological Biogenetic Physiological
Psychodynamic
Behavioural
Cognitive-behavioural
Social learning
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6. 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-)
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7. Psychological Context of Offending
Gender issues
‘Neurotic’ problems
Psychotic episodes
Social dysfunction
Stress-related offending
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8. Psychopathic or other personality disorders Opportunistic behaviour
Substance (mis) use
Organic problems
Psychopathic or other personality disorders
Opportunistic behaviour
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9. Social Context of Offending
Income/poverty
Family dynamics
Employment status
Educational level
Social milieu and networks
Abuse/trauma
Attachments
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10. Assessment Issues Genetic factors Medical history Psychiatric history
Acquired disabilities
Socio-economic status
Intellectual development
Emotional attachments
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11. Socialisation Family dynamics Abuse/trauma Personality
Attitudes/beliefs
Moral development
Life events
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12. Where do forensic referrals come from?
At risk behaviour
Offence(s)
Arrest/remand
Trial
Disposal:
Prison
Special hospital
RSU
Open Hospital
Community
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13. Range of forensic cases
Murder/manslaughter
Serious/persistent violence
Intra-familial abuse
Arson
Sexual violence
Paraphilic behaviour
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14. Addiction-related crime Stalking/harassment
Hoaxes/malicious complaints
‘out of character ‘offending
Post trauma/compensation
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15. 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
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16. Treatment Roles Individual: Supportive counselling
Motivational interviewing
CBT, CAT, Psychotherapy, behavioural etc.
Ward based programmes
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17. 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
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18. Service Roles Developing therapeutic regimes and programmes
Staff education and training
Supervision
Service and Research Governance
Inter-agency liaison
Research
Consultancy
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19. Outpatient Clinics Sexual offenders/abusers Anger management
Repetitive/compulsive offences e.g. shoplifting, twoc.
Delinquency secondary to gambling/drinking
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20. 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
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21. 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
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22. 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?
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