FOR6008

Mentally disordered offenders ( 6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr A Carroll

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: The aim of this unit is to develop the students' knowledge and understanding of assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders.

Objectives: On completion of this unit the student will be expected to: 1. Understand the evidentiary basis and the principles of assessing risk of violence. 2. Critically evaluate the evidence of an association between mental disorder and criminal offending. 3. Understand the concept of severe personality disorder and its relevance to criminality. 4. Describe the epidemiology, impacts and management approach to several specific problem behaviours: stalking, issuing threats, violence and sexual offending. 5. Understand the various motivations for homicides especially 'abnormal' homicides including serial killing, mass killing and infanticide. 6. Perform appropriate assessments and devise clinically useful formulations of patients displaying problem behaviours.

Assessment: Two case studies (2500 words) 30%, assignment (2500 words) 40%, oral presentation 30%.

Off-campus attendance requirements: Students will attend for two days on campus at the end of the semester. This will consist of 16 hours of seminars, workshops and a practical component.