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 matters in the form of compensation, as well as the administration in the form of assistance in child welfare and child welfare cases. It will be emphasized that the psychologist role will be different in such relationships compared with "normal" clinical practice.

Furthermore, there are a number of clinical conditions that we encounter more often in court and prison contexts than in other clinical contexts. There will be a review of these, the significance they may have for the development of antisocial behavior, and the significance they may have for the assessment of violence.

Witness psychology will also be reviewed, which includes factors that can produce memory displacements, false memory and false confessions, as well as 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 Forensic Commission, the C-courses are subject-specific inservice 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 will have 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.
• The student will be able to use structured professional assessment tools.

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.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Passed exams in PSYPRO4201, PSYPRO4202, PSYPRO4203 and PSYPRO4204 are required. The class is divided into two this semester. One group will take PSYPRO4605 and PSYPRO4606, the second group will take PSYPRO4505 and perspective course and reverse the following semester.

Course materials

To be announced when the semester starts.

Credit reductions