Forensic Psychology MSc

This module will explore how vulnerabilities and neurodiversity emerge and are subsequently accounted for (or not) in the criminal justice system and the impact of imprisonment and the prison system for neurodiverse and vulnerable individuals. The module will address current issues, including understanding psychological theories relevant to offending and risk factors for offending and re offending by vulnerable and neurodiverse individuals. Trauma-informed forensic practices within the criminal justice system will be central to the module.

This module is designed to equip you with a range of methodological research skills to enable you to move towards becoming a professional practitioner in forensic psychology. The module provides postgraduate-level learning and practical application of various statistical, data coding and interpretation techniques. The research methodologies covered include a broad range of quantitative and qualitative approaches relevant to forensic psychology practice in the workplace. The module has been designed to support you in applying the skills taught using a building block week-by-week approach. Classroom/practical teaching and learning instruction will enable you to prepare a portfolio evidencing learning and applying research skill sets.

Students will work in voluntary or paid positions in settings related to Forensic Psychology. This will enable students to gain valuable forensic psychology-related work experience, develop reflective practice skills and experience of a practice diary in preparation for the workplace and completion of Stage 2 of professional training, consider future career development plans and how to evidence person specification criteria when applying for competitive Stage 2 employment.

This module introduces you to the psychology of investigative processes and practices relevant to forensic psychology practitioners. Topics include investigative interviewing (witnesses, victims and persons of interest), intermediaries and their involvement in achieving the best evidence, advocacy and vulnerability, and investigation models and protocols. This module also touches on a number of emerging criminal justice challenges centred on the victim/offender nexus and county lines drug dealing. Topics introduced have been selected to allow you to develop a critical understanding of investigative processes, the role of psychologists, and how psychological theory and empirical understanding can impact investigative forensic practices and outcomes.

This module introduces you to forensic psychology professional practice, including ethical practice, developing and maintaining professional standards, training and knowledge exchange, professional wellbeing and advice and consultancy across various forensic settings. You will be introduced to key themes and theories underpinning forensic psychology professional practice, including ethics, ethical professional practice, applying psychological scientific understanding and empirical knowledge to professional practice, teamwork, interpretation of needs for different client groups and the planning and delivery of bespoke training. Importantly, this module encourages you to develop a critical understanding of significant gaps in knowledge – e.g., cross-cultural forensic psychology – and the potential impact of gaps in knowledge on professional practice. The unit aims to equip you with an understanding of the forensic environment, specialist forensic populations and ways of working across the criminal justice system. At the Stage I level, we aim for this unit to afford you insight into core aspects of forensic psychology practice that are not typically addressed in forensic undergraduate modules. The module also aims to highlight the link between Stage I and Stage 2 training to assist you in tailoring and furthering your learning.

This module is designed to allow you to develop core skills in reflective research, planning, implementing and reporting a forensic-based empirical research project towards realising your training in the context of a particular research problem, aspect of methodology, or policy. Bringing together elements of taught material from the course, this module offers maximum flexibility in selecting a research topic and methodology in accordance with individual professional and personal interests towards advancing existing psychological knowledge in forensic contexts.

You will work closely with an individual supervisor on your chosen project, who will give guidance on the scope of the project and the development of an application for ethical approval. Generic taught sessions will introduce the module, encourage Q and As, provide meetings with supervisors, discuss ethical considerations in forensic research and detail resources and support available to you.

This module delves into the origins of violent sexual offending, focusing on the complexities involved in investigating, assessing, and managing associated risks. You will gain a nuanced understanding of intervention strategies for violent sexual offenders and the support mechanisms for 'at risk' populations,
including victim/survivors.