Forensic Psychology Flashcards
What do forensic psychologists do?
They research why some people refuse to believe a relationship is over and stalk their partner
They work with victims or perpetrators of crime
They combine psychological principles with the legal and criminal justice system
What is forensic psychology?
A specialised area of psychology that applies psychological theory and skills to the understanding and functioning of the legal and criminal justice system
What are some of a forensic psychologists areas of specialisation?
Sexual offending, domestic violence, assessments of dangerousness, conducting research, conducting assessments for the court, police work and offender profiling.
Make sure to remember at least two
What are some of a forensic psychologists roles?
Preparing criminal profiles, assessing current or retrospective mental impairments, determining whether a person is ‘fit’ (mentally) to stand trail or enter a plea, they provide advice and expert opinions to the court, assess and treat victims of crime; witnesses of crime and perpetrators of crime, assess the dangerousness of criminals and conduct research.
Remember at least three
Who are some of a forensic psychologist’s clients?
Convicted offenders who need treatment, accused individuals who need medical assessment, ‘not guilty’ individuals due to mental impairment, convicted or alleged offenders who need to be assessed or treated, convicted offenders who are living in the community but seek or require treatment
Where can a forensic psychologist work?
A court room: providing assessments, reports and being an expert witness or giving an expert opinion
A police station: developing profiles for suspects
The treatment room (prisons, special organisations- CPS): assess and treat victims, witnesses and criminals
The research lab: conduct research such as witness studies, jury behaviour and psychology of the courtroom
Remember at least two of the above
Also: forensic mental health units, correctional institutions (prisons), law courts, children protection services, sexual offenders treatment services, domestic violence programs, police, universities, research organisations
What is stalking?
A term used to describe a person’s persistent (continuous) attempts to force unwanted communication or contact on another person that causes the victim fear or distress
How can a stalker communicate?
By phone, letter, fax, email, social media, graffiti, gifts, etc.
How can a stalker make contact with a victim?
Direct approaches, following, loitering, surveillance
What are some other ways a stalker can try to reach out to their victim?
They could order or cancel something for the victim, spread gossip, contact family and friends and make threats to causing harm
Is stalking a criminal behaviour? Explain.
Stalking is a criminal behaviour as you are causing unwanted communication with a victim. Stalking has been considered a crime in Victoria since 1994 and is in the amendment (Act). The penalty is 10 years in prison.
What are the different types of stalkers?
Acronym: RIIPER Rejected stalker Intimacy-seeking stalker Incompetent stalker Predatory stalker Erotomanic stalker Resentful stalker
Why are stalkers classified into different types?
It helps to give them the right treatment as each different type of stalker has a different treatment strategy.
What is a rejected stalker’s typical behaviour?
They have experienced a breakup recently in a personal relationship (can be friendship as well as romantic) and they refuse to believe/accept that the relationship is over. They then use a variety of stalking behaviours to continue to be close to the victim
What is an erotomanic stalker’s typical behaviour?
They are known to have erotomania which is a delusional disorder where they believe that another person or people is in love with this individual.
The stalker would believe this regardless of the evidence or the truth. This is usually associated with someone of a higher status, for example: a celebrity or boss.
What is an intimacy-seeking stalker’s typical behaviour?
They respond to loneliness and try to establish a close relationship with someone in an inappropriate way. They would begin stalking after a brief social encounter and can stalk their victim for a very long time. They don’t see a court order as something that could stop them from stalking and see the punishment for stalking as a ‘price to pay’.
What is a predatory stalker’s typical behaviour?
They pursue their desire for sexual gratification as well as control of others through stalking. They secretly follow their victim and maintain surveillance with contact rarely being made.
What is an incompetent stalker’s typical behaviour?
They lack the social skills and knowledge on how to establish a close relationship with another person yet they want a friend or lover. They use inappropriate methods to ‘keep close contact’. An example is continuously ‘accidentally’ ‘bumping into’ their victims at various social encounters. They may star after a brief social encounter.
What is a resentful stalker’s typical behaviour?
They are obsessed with their victims over a real or imagined insult or made up injury and want to ‘get even’. A possible victim can be a politician or former boss
Who is likely to be a victim of stalking?
Anyone can be a victim of stalking and most victims are ‘average’ people. Other than normal, every day, ‘average’ people, other people who can be stalked are third parties (ex-boyfriends, parents), VIP’s (celebrities, politicians, royalty, athletes), ex-partners, casual acquaintances (‘friend of a friend’), work colleagues or clients, estranged friends or family friends and neighbours.
How long can stalking last for?
Stalking can last for days, weeks, months or even years.
What is the psychological impact of stalking?
The psychological impact is similar to a traumatic experience, like being raped or witnessing a death. Symptoms often include feelings of powerlessness, sever stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, guilt and self blame, anger and irritability, a desire to withdraw from others and feeling suspicious or wary of others
What is the physical impact of stalking?
The victim could have severe sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting and a worsening of any physical conditions that were present before the stalking began, for example: high blood pressure, asthma and stomach ulcers.
What are some lifestyle changes due to stalking?
The victim could move house, avoid certain places, cut back on social outings, avoid social outings, take extra security measures or change jobs.
How can a forensic psychologist help victims of stalking?
They could provide education about stalkers (not personal), give strategies on how to deal with stalkers, provide advice (contact police, document the stalking, tell family and friends and make an appointment for an intervention order) and give psychological treatment.
What is criminal profiling?
THE PROCESS. It is a technique used to assist in the identification of a likely criminal offender for a particular crime or series of crimes.
It gives a ‘logical’ summary about a criminal, also known as offender profiling.
It works out a description of the types of person (the profile) likely to be responsible.
What does criminal profiling involve?
It involves how they came to be the way they are, what they are like right now and work out what can be done to catch them before they commit another crime.
Who uses the process of criminal profiling?
Almost all law enforcement agencies (state and federal police in Australia and internationally).
What is a criminal profile?
WHAT YOU END UP WITH. It is the overall portrait or picture of a likely offender.
What does a criminal profile consist of?
Physiological characteristics (Physical): gender, ethnicity (Caucasian…), body build, left or right handedness
Psychological characteristics (Mental): intelligence, personality, mental health
Other demographic information: employment status, socioeconomic (financial) status, marital status, clothing preferences, type of vehicle they own
What is criminal profiling and criminal profiles based on?
They are based on the assumption that criminals will leave clues to their identity at a crime scene.
The offender’s (criminal) behaviour at the crime scene reflects something about them as a person.
Psychological fingerprint: clues to their identity
When is criminal profiling used?
It is used once a crime has occurred but when we don’t really know who committed the crime. It is created using the clues left behind.
It helps the police to identify potential suspects as well as narrow the list of suspects.
It is usually used for mass murderers (for people who kill more than one person: serial murderer/serial killer)
What is an offender signature?
A pattern of distinctive behaviours that are characteristics of, and satisfy, the offenders emotional and psychological needs
Offender signature: calling card
What as the two components of an offender signature?
Signature aspect and signature behaviour
What is the signature aspect?
The emotional or psychological needs that the offender satisfies when commuting an offence.
The motivation, example: anger, pleasure
What is the signature behaviour?
Those acts committed by an offender that are not necessary to complete the crime, but which the offender must do to satisfy himself
It often gives clues to signature aspects
What are the three types of multiple murderers?
Serial murderer: someone who has murdered on at least three occasions and has an emotional cooling off period in between
Mass murderer: someone who kills four or more victims in one location at one time
Spree killer: someone who kills at two or more locations within a short period of time (almost no break in between)
What are the four types of serial murderes
1- Visionary
2- Mission- oriented
3- Hedonistic
4- Power/Control
Define a visionary serial murderer.
Someone driven to kill by voices or visions, either from God and angels or demons and the devil. They may be suffering from some sort of severe psychotic disorder.
Define a mission-oriented serial murderer.
Someone driven to kill in order to eliminate a certain sub-populations
Example: homosexuals, prostitutes
Define a hedonistic serial murderer.
Someone driven to kill because of the pleasure they get from the act or because it enhances the murderer’s social and personal status (financial or material gain).
