PSY328H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Forensic Pathology, Forensic Psychology, Psychological Bulletin
Document Summary
It is the practice of psychology (research, service, delivery, and consultation) within or in conjunction with either or both sides of the legal system (civil and criminal). Forensic science: study of physical evidence in modern legal context or science in service of the courts . Forensic pathology: study of causes of death in criminal and civil cases by medical doctors. Criminal profiling: create a portrait of the perpetrator based on available information. (this is an aspect of forensic psychology but not all of it). This is a fairly new area of psychology but it did have some historic beginnings. Trial of louis riel (1885) is thought to be the first trial where psychology was really pertinent to the trial. Because louis riel"s mental state at the moment of his criminal activity was very much a question so the question of mensrea was a topic to which psychiatrists were testifying in court.
