FOR6008 - Mentally disordered offenders

Leader: Dr Andrew Carroll

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Off-campus)

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.