Forensic Psychology Flashcards
What does Forensic Psychology involve? (meaning what does it apply to)
Forensic psychology involves applying psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law.
What are the Common Functions in Forensic Psychology?
Competency evaluations, sentencing recommendations, evaluations of the risk of reoffending, testimony as an expert witness, child custody evaluations/disputes, evaluate insurance claims, offer testimony in civil lawsuits, provide psychotherapy services in family courts, investigate reports of child abuse and conduct visitation risk assessments.
What is Criminal Psychology?
Criminal Psychology is the study of the thoughts, emotions and intentions that contribute to criminal behaviour.
What do Forensic Psychologists evaluate the accused of? (what do they look for, evaluate etc.)
Look for cues of deception, evaluate mental capacity of criminals, determine if criminals are legally competent, and psychologically evaluates defendants using tests.
What is stalking? (what is the term)
Stalking is a term used to describe a person’s persistent attempts to force unwanted communications or contact on another person that cause the victim fear or distress.
What are examples of stalking? (physical etc.)
Phone communications, letters, online, email, unwanted gifts, faxes etc., direct approaches, following the victim, loitering outside the victim’s personal environment spying directly on them.
True or false: Stalking is a crime in all states and territories in Australia
True
What types of stalkers are there? (two types in percentages)
Majority of stalkers are men (87.7%) and majority of victims are women (82.4%)
What is criminal profiling? (is it a technique?)
Criminal profiling (offender profiling) is a technique used to assist in the identification and apprehension of a likely criminal offender for a particular crime or series of crimes.
What does criminal profiling include? (what types of information)
physiological/psychological characteristics, employment status, socioeconomic status, martial status, type of vehicle they own.
What is an Offender Signature?
A pattern of distinctive behaviours that are characteristic of, and satisfy, the offender’s emotional and psychological needs.
What are two parts to an offender signature called?
Signature aspect and signature behaviours.
What does Signature Aspect represent? (mentally/motivations?)
It represents the emotional or psychological needs that are satisfies by committing the offence, and having the motivation for committing the offence.
What does Signature Behaviour represent?
Acts committed that are not necessary to complete the crime but are done for satisfaction and signature behaviours can give clues to signature aspects.
What does BEA stand for?
Behavioural Evidence Analysis
