Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: Criminology

PSICOLOGIA FORENSE - 2023/2024

3º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 6

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutor Cândido da Agra
Assistant Professor: Mestre José Teixeira

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 2 Horas
Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

- To promote knowledge about the Forensic Psychology as a specific area of expertise;
- To promote theoretical and practical knowledge about Forensic Psychology intervention contexts;
- To recognize the specificities and ethical and deontological limits of Forensic Psychology.

Specific Aims/Objectives

- To promote knowledge about Forensic Psychology, its conceptual assumptions, object of study, specificities, developments in the national context and its relationship with the law;
_ To promote knowledge about the main contexts of Forensic Psychology professional practice;
- To promote knowledge about the role of Forensic Psychology in crime sentencing, testimony, offenders´ characterization and rehabilitation and child custody.

Skills to be acquired

- To integrate and coordinate knowledge about the assumptions and conceptual framework of Forensic Psychology;
- To understand the specific aspects of the Forensic Psychology and its application contexts;
- To recognize the ethical issues and the main technical problems associated with the exercise of Forensic Psychology;
- To know the performance contexts and the specificities of practices in the field of Forensic Psychology.

Teaching Procedures

Expositive and demonstrative method and practical work.

Programme

1. Conceptual framework of Forensic Psychology
1.1. Definition. Conceptual assumptions. Objects of study. Development of Forensic Psychology in Portugal. Psychology and Law. Distinction between Forensic Psychology and Clinical Psychology. General guidelines, ethical and technical problems. Forensic evaluation of areas in criminal and civil proceedings.
1.2. Ethical and deontological principles of psychological intervention in forensic context
2. Contexts of practice of Forensic Psychology
2.1. Judicial decision-making process
2.1.1. The psychological forensic practice
2.1.2. The psychologist as a witness in court
2.2. Preparation and support of vulnerable victims in court
2.3. Testimony Psychology
2.4. Current practices in Criminal profiling
2.4.1. Criminal Investigation Profiling
2.4.2. Diagnostic Assessment
2.4.3. Investigative Psychology
2.4.4. Behavioural trace analysis
2.4.5. Geographical profiling
2.4.6. Profiling in the national context
2.5. Offender rehabilitation
2.6. Child Custody

Evaluation Type

2 shot exames
1 practical essay with oral presentation
1 final exam

Teaching Resources

Audiovisual media
Clinical cases
Practical exercises
Documentaries

Sustainability Objectives

Keywords

Forensic Psychology
Judicial decision-making process
Forensic practice
Testimony Psychology
Profilling
Offender rehabilitation

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography