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Forensic Clinical Psychology

Dr. Shirley Radford

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Forensic Psychology ‘The collection, examination and

presentation of psychological evidence for judicial purposes’ (Gudjonnson and Haward, 1998)

‘The provision of psychological methods to a task faced by the legal system’(Wrightsman, 2001)

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Forensic Clinical Psychology The application of clinical

psychology to assist clients involved in legal processes: Criminal and civil proceedings Usually a mental health element

less concerned with systems and processes than forensic psychology

More concerned with the individuals involved

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Knowledge Base Psychology Criminology Penology Law Sociology Psychiatry

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Theories Criminological Sociological Biogenetic Physiological Psychodynamic Behavioural Cognitive-behavioural Social learning

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Legal framework Mental Health Act 1983 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Police and Criminal Evidence Act

1994 Woolf Reforms 1999 Mental Health Act Reforms (2001-)

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Psychological Context of Offending

Gender issues ‘Neurotic’ problems Psychotic episodes Social dysfunction Stress-related offending

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Substance (mis) use Organic problems Psychopathic or other personality

disorders Opportunistic behaviour

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Social Context of Offending Income/poverty Family dynamics Employment status Educational level Social milieu and networks Abuse/trauma Attachments

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Assessment Issues

Genetic factors Medical history Psychiatric history Acquired disabilities Socio-economic status Intellectual development Emotional attachments

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Socialisation Family dynamics Abuse/trauma Personality Attitudes/beliefs Moral development Life events

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Where do forensic referrals come from? At risk behaviour Offence(s) Arrest/remand Trial Disposal:

Prison Special hospital RSU Open Hospital Community

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Range of forensic cases

Murder/manslaughter Serious/persistent violence Intra-familial abuse Arson Sexual violence Paraphilic behaviour

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Addiction-related crime Stalking/harassment Hoaxes/malicious complaints ‘out of character ‘offending Post trauma/compensation

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Assessment Roles Cognitive: (inc.mental capacity,

witness competence) Neuropsychological ( e.g.

compensation claims) Individual differences (Personality,

attitudes, treatability) Change (response to therapy) Impact of events (PTSD, post

accident) Risk Assessment Management advice

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Treatment Roles Individual:

Supportive counselling Motivational interviewing CBT, CAT, Psychotherapy,

behavioural etc. Ward based programmes

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Group Therapy:

Stress and Anger management Social skills/assertiveness Offending/relapse prevention Cognitive skills/problem/solving Substance misuse

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Service Roles Developing therapeutic regimes

and programmes Staff education and training Supervision Service and Research Governance Inter-agency liaison Research Consultancy

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Outpatient Clinics

Sexual offenders/abusers Anger management Repetitive/compulsive offences

e.g. shoplifting, twoc. Delinquency secondary to

gambling/drinking

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Risk assessments re: familial violence, sexual deviance

Other psycho-legal issues Supportive management of PD

clients and fragile MH cases etc Difficult role with high drop out and

non-attendance rates

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Inter-agency work Prisons: remand cases,

discretionary life sentence reviews Probation: condition of treatment

cases, risk management meetings Social Services: risk assessments Voluntary agencies: victim support

groups, hostels Police: rare: e.g. independent

inquiries

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What’s distinctive about Forensic Clinical Psychology

Criminal behaviour? Involvement in legal processes? Theoretical orientation? Therapeutic values and goals? Relationship to client/patient? Relationship to other disciplines? Serving the public interest? Roles? Ethics? Confidentiality?