Course content

The most frequent uses of psychology in the field of judicial care will be reviewed. This includes assistance in criminal cases in the form of judicial observations, assistance in civil cases related to tort law, and assistance in child custody and child protection cases. Emphasis is placed on how the psychologist’s role differs in these contexts compared to ordinary clinical practice.

Furthermore, there are several clinical conditions that are encountered more often in judicial and correctional settings than in other clinical contexts. These conditions will be reviewed, along with the significance they may have for the development of antisocial behaviour, including their relevance for assessing the risk of violence.

Witness psychology will also be covered, including factors that may produce memory distortions, false memories, and false confessions, as well as issues related to witnesses and credibility.

The role of expert witness currently requires no compulsory training, but ideally follows the qualification of an ABC model for medical doctors and psychologists. The professional education is the A-section, the B courses are common to all disciplines and are organised by the Norwegian Board of Forensic Medicine; and the C-courses are discipline-specific continuing education courses organised by SIFER. In addition, the Norwegian Psychological Association (NPF) has its own specialisation courses aimed at children's cases.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The student has an overview of the legal system, case management and court procedures.
• The student has an understanding of legal terminology in relation to psychology and the role of expert in criminal law, tort law, and child law.
• The student has detailed knowledge of a number of conditions that one often encounters in the judicial and prison system than in other clinical settings, and of the most commonly used assessment methods for risk of violent behavior.
• The student has knowledge of the factors that can produce memory offsets, false memories and false confessions, and witnesses and credibility.

Skills:

• The student has an advantage through the course's insight into the expert practice.
• The student will be able to convey basic theoretical, empirical and methodical knowledge in forensic psychology.
• The student has an understanding of how to design an expert report to the court.
• The student has insight into how assessing the risk of violent behaviour is carried out, and should be able to communicate knowledge about it.

General competence:

• The student has the capacity for critical reflection of the expert witness role.
• The student is able to see the subject's limitations.
• The student has a clear understanding of impartiality

Learning methods and activities

Lectures.

Limited admission to classes. For more information: https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Admission+to+courses+with+restricted+admission

Exam registration requires that class registration is approved in the same semester. Compulsory activities from previous semester may be approved by the department.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

PSY2101Psychological Disorders, PSYK4121 Psychological Disorders, or equivalent courses.

Required previous knowledge

.

Course materials

To be announced when the semester starts.

Credit reductions