course material

1. As a consultant or researcher, you might be hired to
As a consultant or researcher, you might be hired to conduct a literature review to inform
the court or other legal personnel about a topic that is relevant to a legal case. This
literature review might include the following features:An historical summary of case law,
legislation, and policies pertaining to a specific legal decision or sequence of decisionsA
summary of research findings that are relevant to the specific legal decision(s)An analysis of
how the research findings have either affected legal decisions or could affect legal
decisionsAn analysis of how a proposed legal decision could impact social change. You could
contribute to this project by a literature review that includes the following:A summary of
relevant case law and legislation at the national level and in relevant jurisdictions, e.g., other
states and counties that have passed laws similar to the one to be draftedA summary of
research findings about recidivism rates for minors who have not been transferred and
those who have been transferred to an adult court, developmental psychology research
findings that have addressed adjudicative competency of minors to face charges in adult
court, research findings about mental health problems presented by minors and whether
these will be addressed if the minor is transferred to adult court, etc.An analysis of how
research findings have impacted or could impact legislation that proposes to transfer
minors to adult court to face chargesAn analysis of how legislation to transfer minors to
adult court could impact social change In a 12- to 16-page (excluding title page, abstract,
and references), explore the evolution of a forensic psychology topic based on legal
cases.Required elements of the Final Project:Identify a current or controversial issue that
forensic psychology professionals face that has been recently influenced by legislation, case
law, or national policies. (Refer to the next list for possible issues.)Explain the legal and
policy decisions that have contributed to the evolution of the current legal status of the
selected issue.Summarize relevant research in psychology that has informed the manner in
which the forensic psychology professional conducts research or consultation related to the
selected issue.Describe ethical dilemmas likely encountered by the forensic psychology
professional while conducting research or consultation related to the selected
issue.Integrate research about legal laws and policies with scholarly research findings in
order to propose recommended best practice standards related to the selected issue.Explain
how the recommended best-practice standards will contribute to social change.Possible
issues to focus on in the Final Project:Evolution of legal definitions for criminal
responsibilityCivil commitment for mental health evaluation or treatmentCivil commitment
of sex offendersDeath penalty evaluations or investigationsTransfer of juveniles to adult

2. court and competency to stand trialPolice use of force and public perceptions, victim
impact, officer impact, police departmental/agency policiesRole of the forensic psychology
professional in terrorism investigationsHate crimes and punishment (special provisions for
hate crimes versus prosecuting with existing laws)Victim impact, impact on social change