In this assignment you will examine the multiple ways forensic psychologists work with the police. In movies or television, we usually see the forensic psychologist

CRJ331: Forensic Psychology

SECTION 1: Assessment for Hiring

Assessment for hiring scenario: The local police department is hiring, and they have a candidate they are very interested in who has prior military experience and history of self-reported mild PTSD.  

1a. Explain the assessment process for the forensic psychologist when an officer candidate is being evaluated as a new hire, including the potential accommodations for a candidate with this diagnosis. In your response consider fitness for duty and future performance utilizing predictive validity. (Note: see M.I.N.I. in the resources and refer to the section on PTSD.) 

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1b. In the textbook, there is a list of seven (7) psychological characteristics that are usually cited in a list of preferred candidates for new hires. Choose four (4) of these characteristics that you feel are most important and explain why from the viewpoint of a forensic psychologist. 

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SECTION 2: Evaluation After a Crime

Instructions: Your answers in this section should be one paragraph for each prompt. Use your textbook, information from the course Lean section, and the resources provided to guide you in this section.

Evaluation after a crime scenario: A local police officer, who has 10 years of stellar service, is arrested for domestic violence. There is a suspicion that the officer is experiencing a mental health breakdown and upon investigation by the first responders it is discovered that the officer has a history of bipolar disorder II. The forensic psychologist has been asked to perform a psychosocial evaluation to assess the officer’s state of mind during the incident. ( Note: you can make any assumption necessary for this response. You may add details to the case as necessary.) 

2a.  Use the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) located in the assignment resources section and make an informed assessment of what may have caused this incident. In your response be sure to explain the behaviors that could accompany the disorder(s). (Note: Use your creativity to explore potential reasons behind this behavior. For example, perhaps the officer has missed his medication, or has other disorders such as panic disorder, substance abuse issues, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.) 

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2b. Determine how this incident could impact the officer’s fitness for duty. Support your response with detailed evidence. 

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SECTION 3: Jury Selection

Instructions: Your answer in this section should be two paragraphs. Utilize your textbook and the provided resources to guide you in this section.

Jury selection scenario: A local police officer is on trial for murder after shooting and killing a suspect. The media publicized the details of the crime for two years before the trial. There has been public outcry and protests. The forensic psychologist would be a consultant for jury selection. Each juror’s responses to the questionnaire would be reviewed carefully by the forensic psychologist. (Note: refer to your readings last week on jury selection.) 

3a. Explain two (2) concerns for selecting jurors in complex cases (such as the one described in this scenario) and why an officer accused of a high-profile crime might choose to have a bench trial instead of a jury trial.

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SECTION 4: Stress and Burnout

Instructions: Your answers in this section should be two paragraphs. Utilize the required resource and any other appropriate resource(s) to guide you in this section.

Stress and burnout scenario: Officer Jones has been working double shifts for the past 6 months with very little time off. He has indicated to his supervisor that he feels as though his performance is lacking because of stress. The chief asks a forensic psychologist to evaluate the officer.

4a. Describe what type of evaluation would be performed, three key factors related to police burnout, and one recommendation that could be offered by the forensic psychologist.

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SECTION 5: Sentencing Decisions

Instructions: Your answer in this section should be 1-2 paragraphs. Utilize your textbook and the provided resources to guide you in this section.

Sentencing decisions scenario: an off-duty police officer was arrested for a DUI 48 hours after her partner was killed in the line of duty. During the forensic psychologist examination, the officer describes the bond they had with their partner and the trauma they endured together. She was clearly distraught and told the psychologist that she didn’t know how to cope with the loss of her partner. She stated that she had been drinking more than usual and not using good judgement. These details from the assessment after her arrest are brought up in the mitigation phase of sentencing.

5a. Explain to the court the impact of losing a partner and the shared trauma bond described by the officer. In your explanation include your professional opinion as to how this information could impact the sentencing recommendations for the officer. ( Note: Be sure to explain this phenomenon in a way that helps the court understand how this might impact the decision-making of the officer.) 

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SECTION 6: SOURCE LIST

Instructions: Use the space below to complete your source list. Be sure to utilize the Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). Refer to your assignment instructions above to ensure you have the required number of sources.

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