MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Course details

The contribution of forensic psychology to the English Legal System (ELS) will be introduced. The structure and function and process of the courts will be explained. The overriding objectives of the court and the role of forensic psychology in assisting the court will be emphasised, as will practice directions and codes of practice for expert witnesses. The unit will review the contribution of forensic psychology to the investigative system; reviewing research and theory analysing aspects such as jury decision making, cognitive interviewing procedures, offender profiling, geographical profiling and interrogative interviewing (including false confessions, lie detection and suggestibility). Attention will be given to understanding psychologically vulnerable individuals within the investigative and judicial process, and the contribution of forensic psychology in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children as witnesses. Guest lectures from forensic practitioners (e.g. Senior Police Officers) and/or legal advocates (e.g. Solicitors or Barristers) will give further insight into the role and contribution of psychology in the legal system.  It is expected that you independently attend Crown Court during the unit, to assist in choosing an area to critically appraise for the end of unit assignment.

The unit aims to provide you with a critical understanding of the interaction between psychology and the English Legal System. The unit aims to equip you with an overview of the ELS (covering Civil, Criminal and Family justice) before examining the role of Forensic Psychologists and psychology as a discipline within the system. The unit aims to develop a critical understanding of the application of psychological research and theory to improving practice within civil, family and criminal justice processes. Further the unit seeks to develop a sound understanding of the application of psychological research in  legal and investigative processes. Finally, the unit aims to develop an understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary working in the legal system.

1. Describe the English Legal System (e.g. criminal, civil, family justice systems) and outline the roles of Psychologists within the courts and legal system;
2. Critically evaluate the application of psychological theory and research to legal and investigative processes; 
3. Appraise psychological techniques aimed at enhancing practice of other professionals/processes within the English Legal System (e.g. work of Police Officers, court procedures).
4. Demonstrate originality and independence in solving problems, planning and implementing tasks;
5. Independently utilise resources to develop knowledge;
6. Employ effective written and verbal communication skills;
7. Demonstrate respect and understanding of the work of different professional groups in legal and investigative settings; recognising the importance of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary working;
8. Demonstrate team working skills, working together to analyse investigative process and miscarriages of justice.

The teaching and learning methods involve a blend of both online learning and face to face lectures and workshops. Online components will require you to engage with online materials developed for the purpose, including video clips, interactive demonstrations and guided activities. Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session. The guided learning will require you to access interactive e-resources to further build knowledge of the application of psychology to investigative and legal practice. Formative tasks may be incorporated in this unit to build knowledge and critical awareness of way in which psychology theory and research can assist the legal system. Blackboard will be used to facilitate online discussion of material and to present resources such as resources for each session and access to online reading lists.

1. Three active assessments - reflections on observations, teaching and theory (100%)

Student representation plays a vital and important part in helping the programme maintain and improve the quality of its provision. Student representatives liaise between staff and students on matters of concern to either side; provide two-way feedback on the course and on teaching quality, and promote active student involvement in course development.Student representatives are also invited to speak confidentially to the external examiner at the end of the academic year, and to participate in end-of-year course review meetings. Representatives are asked to feedback information from these meetings to the other students. In addition, at the end of each semester students are asked to complete an on-line evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken . At the end of the course they complete a general evaluation for their overall programme of study. This anonymous feedback is circulated to unit leaders. This helps to ensure quality assurance. 

You will be expected to supplement your reading, and source your own relevant articles as demonstrated by your blackboard learning. Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during the unit.

• Ainsworth, P.B. (1998). Psychology, Law and Eyewitness testimony. Wiley.  
• Bond, C., Solon, M., Harper, P. and Davies, G. (2007) The Expert Witness: A Practical Guide. Kent, Shaw and Sons.
• Canter, & Youngs, D. (2009). Investigative psychology: offender profiling and the analysis of criminal action. Wiley.
• Gudjonsson, G (2006) Psychology brings justice: the science of forensic psychology. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 13: 3, 159-167
• Gudjonsson, G(2018) The psychology of false confessions: forty years of science and practice. John Wiley & Sons Inc
• McGuire, J. & Duff, S., (2018), Forensic Psychology: routes through the system. Palgrave Macmillan
• Memon, M., Vrij, A., & Bull, R. (2003). Psychology and Law: Truthfulness, Accuracy
• and Credibility (2nd ed). John Wiley & Sons. Online Resources
• Psychologists as Expert Witnesses - Guidelines and Procedure (4th edition 2015)
• http://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/Policy/inf129_april_2015_web.pdf 
• Slapper, & Kelly, D. (2017). The English Legal System (Eighteenth edition.). Routledge.