Forensic Psychology

This course is designed to be an introduction to the interaction between psychology and the legal system. The contribution of psychology to such legal areas as family law, juvenile delinquency, criminal investigation, law enforcement, and correctional psychology will be surveyed. Topics to be covered will include competency and insanity, assessing dangerousness, domestic violence, child abuse, sex offenders and psychopaths. Legal standards regarding insanity, civil commitment and expert testimony will be reviewed.