The aim of the course is to give an overview of forensic psychology.
The aim of the course is to give an overview of forensic psychology. Among the topics covered during the course are core concepts within witness psychology, such as central eyewitness memory issues, suggestibility and false memories, true and false confessions, eyewitness identification, deception detection, investigative interviewing, investigating suspicions of child abuse (with a particular emphasis on child sexual abuse), mental health problems related to criminality and the definition of criminal responsibility, risk/threat assessments and profiling. Also, criteria for defining expertise in court are described internationally.
Please see: https://studiehandboken.abo.fi/en/course/PY00CP79/28348?period=2024-2027.
At the end of the course, the learner will be able to:
– define suggestibility and how it is involved in false memories and false confessions
– plan and analyze eyewitness identification lineups
– describe the central results related to deception detection
– plan and analyze concealed information tests
– critically analyze interviews in cases of alleged child sexual abuse
– identify good and bad practices in (1) child sexual abuse interview and (2) line-ups
– define expertise within the legal setting
Forensic Psychology: Crime, Justice, Law, Interventions, 3rd Edition Graham M. Davies (Editor), Anthony R. Beech (Editor)
Other material such as literature, podcasts and documentaries are also included and available on the course page on the learning platform.
The course is provided online with distance teaching via Zoom. This online course contains one mandatory teaching session via Zoom or Teams on 24.9.2026 at 18.00-19.30 Finnish time (CET+1). Please note! Working camera and microphone is needed for participation in the course.
Online courses follow a timetable with start and end dates and have deadlines for assignments throughout the course. The courses are divided into different sections, modules, or weekly sessions. Typically, discussions and assignments are part of these various modules. More information: https://www.abo.fi/en/opu-anmalan/online-courses-distance-learning-and-contact-teaching/.
For a course with 5 ECTS, the average student works approximately 135 hours (1 ECTS equals 27 h work).
Online teaching and group meetings 2 h.
Course work 133 h: Literature studies, other course materials, written tasks and examinations.
Transcript of records