Forensic Psychology (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25DPSY711
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable students to apply psychological theories and principles in crime investigation and the criminal justice system, understand the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, and develop skills in forensic investigation techniques.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching

strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25DPSY711

Forensic

CO161:Appraise the application

Approach

Class      test,

 

Psychology

of various theories and principles

in

Semester end

 

(Theory)

of   psychology   in   the   crime

teaching:

examinations,

 

 

investigation and criminal justice

Interactive

Quiz,

 

 

system.

Lectures,

Assignments,

 

 

CO162: Develop an idea about

Discussion,

Presentation,

 

 

the       roles       of       forensic

Learning

 

 

 

psychologists    in    court,   and

activities

 

 

 

demonstrating the knowledge of

for the

 

 

 

key issues in forensic psychology

students:

 

 

 

including  eyewitness  testimony

Self-learning

 

 

 

and false confession.

assignments,

 

 

 

CO163:Developing   a   working

application-

 

 

 

knowledge and understanding of

based

 

 

 

the      basic      methods      of

questions,

 

 

 

investigation   used   in   forensic

Seminar

 

 

 

psychology with an emphasis on

presentation,

 

 

 

crime  scene  analysis,  criminal

 

 

 

 

profiling         and         forensic

 

 

 

 

psychological tools.

 

 

 

 

CO164:    Learning   about   the

 

 

 

 

forensic  interviewing  with   the

 

 

 

 

help of advanced tools used in

 

 

 

 

crime interrogation.

 

 

 

 

CO165:  Examining  the  rights

 

 

 

 

and competencies of accused to

 

 

 

 

stand the trial, and the pleads.

 

 

 

 

CO166: Contribute effectively in

 

 

 

 

course-specific interaction

 

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Introduction:

Defining forensic psychology & legal psychology; The roles of the Psychologist. The Psychology of Forensic Identification: DNA, Fingerprints, and Other Types of Physical Trace Evidence. Cyber-crime: nature and prevention

12.00
Unit II: 
The Psychologist in Court:

Expert evidence; Forensic reports; Pre-trial preparation; Forensic portfolio; Examination in chief, Cross Examination

Psychology in courtroom: The Hidden, Consequential World of Plea Bargaining; Jury Selection; Assembling a Jury: Pools, Venires, and Voir Dire; Using Stereotypes & Science to Select Jurors; Juror Characteristics and Attitudes as Predictors of Verdict; Pretrial Publicity as a Source of Bias; An Overview of Trial Procedure

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Criminal Profiling & Psychological Autopsies;

Eyewitness Identification & Testimony; Lie Detection: The Complexity & Pervasiveness of Deception, The Polygraph, From Physiological Arousal to Cognitive Load, Some Emerging Technologies for Lie Detection

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Interrogations & Confessions:

The Power of a Confession; The Evolution of Interrogation Techniques; Inside the Modern Interrogation Room; The Problem of False Confessions; Interrogators Lying; Potential Solutions to the Problem of False Confessions

12.00
Unit V: 
Competency to Stand Trial:

Meaning; CST Versus Competency to Plead Guilty & Competency to Waive anAttorney; Dealing with Incompetent Defendants; Methods for Evaluating CST; CST Evaluations and Ultimate Issue Testimony by Experts; Restoration of CST;Adolescents & CST

Essential Readings: 
  1. Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2006). Current perspectives in forensic psychology and criminal justice. Sage Publications, Inc.
  2. Batchman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2008). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice. London: Sage.
  3. Costanzo, M., & Krauss, D. (2010). Forensic and legal psychology. Macmillan.
  4. Haward, L. (1981). Forensic psychology. London: Batsford Academic and Educational Ltd.
  5. Howitt, D. (2002). Forensic and criminal psychology. New Delhi, India: Prentice Hall.

 

Suggested Reading:

 

     1.     Loftus, E. F. (1996). Eyewitness testimony: With a new preface. Cambridge, MA:         Harvard University Press.

     2.    Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A (2018). Forensic Psychology. Pearson Canada      Inc.

     3.    Ross, F. D., Read, D. J., & Toglia, M. P. (1994). Adult eyewitness testimony. New             York:Cambridge University Press.

 

E Resources:

  1. Basic Theory and Concepts of Forensic Psychology. Access Via: https://alison.com/course/basic-theory-and-concepts-of-forensic-psychology#google_vignette

 

  1. Forensic Psychology. Access Via:https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/forensic-psychology/content-section-

 

 

 

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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