ABSTRACT

Forensic psychology is where psychology meets the criminal justice system. An understanding of the intersection of criminal law and psychological issues relating to criminal responsibility is critical for criminal justice students. This accessible text focuses on the criminal law implications of forensic psychology as it relates to topics such as competency to stand trial, state of mind at the time of the crime, suicide by cop, and involuntary psychiatric medication administered in custody. Unlike more traditional texts on this topic, which are primarily concerned with the clinical practice of forensic psychology, this book focuses on critical thinking as it relates to these topics. Each chapter presents a critical analysis of the topic under study, going beyond merely identifying the legal parameters of criminal responsibility to explore the ethical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of that concept.

chapter |23 pages

From the Asylum to the Penitentiary

A Historical Perspective

chapter |20 pages

Competency to Stand Trial

chapter |25 pages

Criminal Responsibility

State of Mind at the Time of the Crime and the Insanity Defense

chapter |24 pages

Drug Courts

chapter |21 pages

Eyewitness Memory

chapter |7 pages

Closing Reflections