AI Flashcards Lecture 4
What are the key steps in the Dutch criminal justice system according to the slides?
The steps include police interrogation of the suspect, a prosecutor’s judgement on pre-trial detention, a court session, and forensic assessment and advice from a forensic expert.
What is the role of a forensic expert witness in the Dutch criminal justice system?
A forensic expert witness, typically a psychologist or psychiatrist, acts as an interface between mental health care and the legal system.
What is the purpose of forensic assessment in the legal framework?
Forensic assessment operates within a legal framework, involving coercion or enforcement, and aims to balance the protection of society with the consideration of the suspect as an individual. The ultimate goal is the protection of society through the enforced treatment of the patient.
What are the settings for forensic assessments?
Forensic assessments can be conducted at the Pieter Baan Center, which includes an in-patient clinic (7 weeks), or in an ambulatory setting. The in-patient clinic performs approximately 3500 assessments per year, while the ambulatory setting completes around 200 assessments per year.
What professionals are involved in forensic assessments?
A multidisciplinary team of experts are involved. This includes psychologists, psychiatrists, and sometimes an investigator of the social network. In the ambulatory setting, there are about 3 contacts with the suspect.
What are the key questions that a forensic assessment aims to answer?
The questions include: Is there a mental health disorder?, What is the relation to the crime?, What is the criminal responsibility?, What is the risk regarding recidivism?, and Is enforced treatment needed?.
What are some factors relevant to understanding juvenile delinquency, according to the slides?
The slides highlight the biopsychosocial model and the importance of brain development, which continues into adulthood. It emphasizes that different brain areas develop at different rates, with the prefrontal areas developing linearly and the social-emotional system showing the most activity during adolescence.
How does the development of the brain impact behaviour during adolescence, according to the slides?
The slides note that the cognitive control system (prefrontal areas) develops linearly, while the social-emotional system is highly active during adolescence. This can lead to a ‘Ferrari without brakes’ scenario, resulting in risk-taking behaviour, susceptibility to peer influence, and reward sensitivity.
What is the relevance of brain development to the application of juvenile criminal law?
Dutch law now allows for the application of juvenile criminal law for individuals up to 23 years old, not just 21, but only when development is delayed.
What are some neurobiological differences observed in individuals with psychopathy according to the slides?
Individuals with psychopathy may have a less developed amygdala leading to less empathy and a less developed prefrontal cortex leading to problems with impulse regulation.
What are some reasons for ordering an MRI in forensic settings, according to the slides?
Some indications for MRI scans include: tumours, neurodegenerative diseases (like dementia), epilepsy, severe addiction (Korsakov), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
How common is traumatic brain injury (TBI) in juvenile delinquents?
Approximately 30% of juvenile delinquents have experienced a TBI, with the number reaching 55% among adult detainees.
What are some consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the context of criminal behavior, according to the slides?
TBI can lead to unsuccessful treatment, problems with cognitive functions and delinquent behavior.
What resources are available for neurological assessments?
There’s a Neuro office for consultation with a clinical neuropsychologist and neurologist, and assessments available through Neuroloket en Neuropoli. These can include ambulatory assessments, clinical assessments (with MRI and neuropsychological tests), and day admission at the PBC.
What is the relationship between white matter integrity and impulsivity according to the slides?
The slides indicate that there is a negative correlation between white matter integrity and impulsivity, and that this relationship is especially relevant for those with problems in impulse regulation.
