PY2110 Forensic Psychology

Part ASample QuestionJeremiah is a qualified forensic psychologist working in probation services under the Ministry ofSocial and Family Development. He has been asked by the courts to provide a risk assessment of a juvenile offender to ascertain whether the individual is suitable for probation. Probation would involve a period of regular monitoring and community service,and would represent an alternative to a custodial sentence (i.e., jail time).The youth in question is an 18-year-oldmale and a first-time offender. He has been convicted of rioting on the basis of his involvement in an attack on another 18-year-old male. The convicted youth was one of several young men involved in the attack, which left the victim with significant injuries.What risk-assessment tool should Jeremiah use to assess the youth’s risk of reoffendingand hence his suitability for probation? Describe the tool and justify your choice with reference to different generations of risk assessmentPart B Sample QuestionCompetence to stand trial, otherwise known as fitness to plead, is an importantissue in criminal proceedings. Forensic psychologists or psychiatrists are often asked to conduct assessments and provide expert testimony in order to establish whether a defendant is competent to stand trial.Based on internet research, identify and describe a prominent case where there were serious questions over whether or not an individual was competent to stand trial. What was the outcome, and what factors were considered when judging whether or not the individual was sufficiently competent? Your answer should discuss issues surrounding the legal definition of competenceand the relationship between competenceand various aspects of mental health and cognitive functioning.Be sure to use an example that was NOT covered in the course (e.g., described inthe textbook, discussed in tutorials).