FBS5001 - Fundamentals of forensic behavioural science - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health

Chief examiner(s)

Professor David Kissane

Coordinator(s)

Dr Sam Calvin

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

Synopsis

This unit aims to equip professionals with a broad-based understanding of basic legal and criminological principles. The unit then builds on this knowledge by examining key areas involving the interaction between mental health and the law, and examining the role of the 'expert witness'.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the role of the law and the criminal justice system in society.
  2. Describe in broad terms the assumptions and limitations of major criminological theories (biological, sociological and psychological).
  3. Summarize the basic processes involved in the operation of the criminal justice system.
  4. Describe the legal and ethical constraints in working at the interface between mental health and the law.
  5. Discuss the legal and ethical constraints in working at the interface between mental health and the law.
  6. Describe the roles and functions of an expert witness.

Assessment

  • Workshop presentation/alternative assessment (10%)
  • Applied learning exercise (30%)
  • Essay (60%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Two day on-campus workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study