Core Module Information
Module title: Practical Forensic Psychology

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: PSY11100
Module leader: Faye Skelton
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Psychology
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

This module comprises two work streams.Work stream 1: Risk in Forensic PopulationsRisk in Forensic Populations will explore the biological, social, and psychological risk factors that contribute, both individually and through interacting with one another, to risk of violence and other anti-social behaviours, which may manifest in criminal and/or family law cases. You will learn about the Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) approach to risk assessment in both criminal and civil cases, including the application of at least one SPJ risk assessment tool to a sample forensic case. You will develop the skills to construct, orally present, and be questioned in a mock multi-disciplinary risk management setting about, a formulation of a sample forensic case. A guest lecturer, who is an expert practitioner in their field, will present a critical evaluation of how risk is assessed, treated and managed in serious offenders in the UK. You will learn how to think and speak reflectively about your practice, and you will write a reflective diary entry relating to risk assessment and to risk management strategies in the UK.Work stream 2: WitnessesWitnesses will explore three investigative applications that are employed to obtain information from eyewitnesses: investigative interviewing (including UK models such as PEACE and PRICE), facial composite production, and eyewitness identification from CCTV footage. In each practical session you will develop a critical understanding of the psychological theories that underpin prescribed interviewing and identification practice. You will expand on this knowledge to explore and evaluate current trends in forensic research. In addition to your practical classes, you will engage with forensic policy and practice via guest lectures delivered by professional forensic practitioners.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Develop a formulation of risk for a fictitious offender.

LO2: Reflect on the UK criminal justice systems' approaches to managing the risk posed by offenders.

LO3: Critically appraise a risk formulation in a multi-disciplinary setting.

LO4: Critically evaluate contemporary techniques for gathering information from witnesses, in light of the psychological literature.

LO5: Critically reflect on your personal experience of contemporary techniques and consider implications for practice.

LO6: Evaluate the contribution of cognitive psychology to the development of techniques used in current practice.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Faye Skelton
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 172 You will be directed to essential and recommended readings via the Leganto reading list, as well as preparation (provided on Moodle) required for some classes. In addition to this you will be required to independently source relevant peer-reviewed research to contribute to classroom discussions and prepare your assignments.
Face To Face Lecture 10 Workstream 1 of the module is delivered via five student facing lectures, and one practical session. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop new practical skills, including: developing a formulation of risk for a fictitious offender; reflecting on the Scottish Criminal Justice system’s approaches to managing the risk posed by offenders; and critically appraising a risk formulation in a multi-disciplinary setting.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 2 Workstream 1 of the module is delivered via five student facing lectures, and one practical session. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop new practical skills, including: developing a formulation of risk for a fictitious offender; reflecting on the Scottish Criminal Justice system’s approaches to managing the risk posed by offenders; and critically appraising a risk formulation in a multi-disciplinary setting.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 9 Workstream 2 of the module is delivered via mainly practical, task-based and group discussion based classes. Each practical includes a short lecture-style introduction to the topic to provide contextualisation for the practical tasks. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop new practical skills, including: interviewing ‘witnesses’; and constructing a facial composite.
Face To Face Lecture 4 Two lectures delivered by invited external speakers - practitioners and/or academics with expertise in applying relevant practical skills in the professional context e.g. interviewing witnesses, CCTV or lineup administration, producing police facial composites.
Face To Face Tutorial 2 This two hour session will support students with addressing the module learning outcomes assessed by the Component 2 assessment. It will be scheduled at the start of Workstream 2 so students are better prepared for making notes in the practical classes on which the assignment is based.
Independent Learning Tutorial 1 This assignment support online drop-in will allow students to ask questions about the Component 2 assignment and receive an immediate response/clarification in the run-up to the hand-in date.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 20 1 Week 6 , WORDS= 1200 words Risk formulation of a fictitious offender's case.
Portfolio 15 3 Week 7 , WORDS= 10 minutes Orally-delivered critical appraisal of a risk formulation, which will form the practical exercise in Week 7.
Portfolio 15 2 Week 8 , WORDS= 800 words 800-word reflective practice diary entry
Learning Log 50 4~5~6 Week 13 HOURS= 2500 Critical analysis of one of the three practical sessions from this Workstream. For this assessment you are required to evaluate the contribution of cognitive psychology to the topic/technique you have selected, reflect on your experience of the technique during the practical class, and consider the implications for professional practice.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
PSY11100 Practical Forensic Psychology